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THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE, 
Froni a photograph[ made iq 1900. 



HISTORICAL MANUAL 

OF THE 

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

OF 

TOPSFIELD 
MASSACHUSETTS 



1663-1907 



PUBLISHED BY THE CHURCH 
1907 



14 




FOREWORD. 



"Remember the days of old, consider the years of many 
generations." The present will be more worthy of its noble 
past, and will emulate the fathers, if it continues with dignity and 
faith the work whose foundation they laid both deep and strong. 
It is a great heritage and a sacred trust. 

The following pages suggest how faithfully this Church was 
the very heart of the life of Topsfield for two centuries. Char- 
acter counts. Consider how character guarded this town in crit- 
ical times in the person of Parson Capen, who averted the perils 
at the close of the lyth century, and again in Rev. Asahel Hunt- 
ington a century later. 

Extensive correspondence has brought to the surface many 
items of historical value, whose preservation is due to the past as 
to the future. "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord 
thy God led thee.'' 

To those who have contributed information, or loaned pho- 
tographs, acknowledgments are due, and special mention is made 
of the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. George Francis Dow, 
Sidney Perley, Esq. of Salem, the Town of Topsfield, the Tops- 
field Historical Society, Franklin Bowditch Dexter, Litt. D., 
Asst. Librarian of Yale Universit)-, and Rev. John Brown, D. D., 
Bedford, England. 

LEONE PARKER WELCH, 

J. PORTER GOULD, 

WILLIAM G. POOR, 

Committee on Publication. 
Topsfield, Mass., Oct. i, 1907. 



CONTENTS. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH, ------ 5 

MEETING HOUSES, - - 6 

CHURCH AND VESTRY FURNISHINGS, 13 

SACRAMENTAL FURNISHINGS, 14 

SUNDAY SCHOOL, - - 16 

HOME DEPARTMENT, - 17 

LADIES' SOCIETY, - - - - - "I? 

WOMANS' MISSIONARY SOCIETY, - - - - 18 

YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR, 1 9 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MINISTRY OF THE 

CHURCH, - - 20 

PARSONAGES AND RESIDENCES OF MINISTERS, - - 4^ 

PARSON CAPEN HOUSE, ------ 43 

INVESTED FUNDS OF THE CHURCH, - - - - 44 

MINISTERS, 1663- 1907, - - - - 48 

DEACONS, 1 663- 1 907, - - • - - - 49 

CLERKS. 1683-1907. 50 

RESIDENT MEMBERS, 1907. 50 

NON RESIDENT MEMBERS. 1907. - - - '53 

CREEDS AND COVENANTS, - 54 

CHURCH OFFICERS. 1907. ------ 60 



ILLUSTRATIONS. 



' THE CONGREGATIONAL MEETING HOUSE, 1900, Frontispiece 

THE MEETING HOUSE OF 1759, . - - - 8 

THE SEATING IN THE MEETING HOUSE ABOUT 184O, - 1 4 

^ REV. DANIEL BRECK, 2/ 

REV. RODNEY GOVE DENNIS, 28 

REV. JAMES FRISBIE McEWEN, 29 

REV. ANSON MCLOUD, 30 

REV. EDWARD PAYSON TENNEY, - - - - 32 

REV. JAMES HILL FITTS, 33 

-REV. FRANKLIN PEEL TOMPKINS, - - - - 34 

REV. LYNDON SMITH CRAWFORD, - - - - 35 

^REV. CHARLES WASHINGTON LUCK, - - - -36 

REV. ALBERT EDWARD BRADSTREET, - - - - 37 

REV. FRANCIS ALDEN POOLE, 38 

REV. HERBERT JAMES WYCKOFF, - - - - 39 

^REV. WILLIAM GEORGE POOR, 40 

THE PARSON CAPEN HOUSE, 43 



HISTORICAL SKETCH. 



From the beginninpj of the settlement of New Meadows, 
about 1639, provision was made for "the publicke worship 
of God," and its first minister of the gospel of which evidence 
now exists, was William Knight, who "dispenced the word 
in 1641." Having had serious differences with the Ecclesi- 
astical Courts in England, he emigrated to New England and 
arrived at Salem in 1636-7. His term of service covered on- 
ly a few years, and "Good News from New England," pub- 
lished in London in 1648, is authority for the statement that 
he "has gone back to England." Whether or not the settle- 
ment was without preaching during the interim between the 
departure of Mr. Knight and the arrival of William Perkins 
in 1655, is an unsettled question. Mr. Perkins continued his 
labors until the organization of the church in 1663, with Rev. 
Thomas Gilbert as minister. The existence of a church 
within the territory at this date is shown by the following en- 
try in the Roxbury Church Records: "Nov. 4, 1663. A 
church is gathered at Topsfield with Mr. Thomas Gilbert 
over it." 

From the incorporation of the town in 1650 until the cre- 
ation of the parish (Acts of 1823, Chapter 117), the main- 
tenance of the minister was a regular charge levied upon the 
inhabitants and he was chosen in open town meeting. The 
parish still continues to hold title to the church property and 
selects the minister, but its proposed ministerial contract is 
approved by the church body. The church has given largely 
from its membership for the formation of churches at Boxford, 

(5) 



6 MEETING HOUSES. 

October 4, 1702 ; Middleton, October 22, 1729; Linebrook, 
November 15, 1749; and the local Methodist Episcopal 
Church, October 20, 1830; each of which offshoots is serving 
the community in which it was originally planted. The town 
records prior to March 25, 1659, were lost in the destruction 
by fire of the home of Town Clerk Redington during that year. 
The first volume of the church register now preserved begins 
with the service of Parson Capen in 1684. The membership 
of the church in 1684 was 49 — 22 males, and 27 females. 
Today the total number enrolled is 107. 



MEETING HOUSES. 



The first meeting house in Topsfield is supposed to have 
been located near the present junction of Howlett Street and 
Meeting House Lane, but the architecture, furnishing and 
final disposition of the structure must be determined by the 
imagination, as neither records nor tradition furnish the in- 
formation. It is known, however, that the building was with- 
out a pulpit. 

Years of experience having demonstrated that the former 
situation was not sufficiently central for the majority of the 
worshipers, and the proposition of the settlers of Rowley 
Village (now Boxford) who enjoyed church privileges in this 
town, that, if the meeting house were more conveniently lo- 
cated for them, they would contribute toward the minister's 
salary, were large and potent factors in reaching the decision 
that the second meeting house (erected in the Fall of 1663) 
should be built on the southwesterly side of the highway 
now called Haverhill Street, the site selected being nearly 
opposite the barn of Samuel Todd, deceased, and the pulpit 
(tradition relates) stood over the spot to-day marking the 
grave of Parson Capen, which point is about three rods east- 
erly from the main entrance to Pine Grove Cemetery. 



MEETING HOUSES. 7 

In tlic Indian outbreak of 1675 known as Kinij Philip's 
War, a protection from attack being deemed necessary, the 
town records state that: 

"At a lafull meeting of the Selactmen the 8 of saptembcr 
1675 wee hau agreed to mak a stone wall aboutc the meetting 
hous for fort . . . the wall is to be three foote brod in 
the botom and fine hie . . . or six as shall be thote 
most Conucniant with a watch hous at the south cast Corner 
with in this wall ten foot square this is to be don by the 
towne and except such as do usalli Com to her the word 
preched at or in our meeting hows will halp the towne most 
do it at thar one charge, this wall is to be ten foote from 
the meeting hous side and ende but on the south side it is 
to be twelve foot be twene this wall and the wach hows Cor- 
ner is to be fore foot from the hous end." 

On January 13, 168 1, the selectmen, and Samuel Symons of 
Boxford, who resided near what is now the First District 
School House, entered into a written agreement by the terms 
of which the latter was to "bild a pulpit ten foot Long and if 
ye rome will giue way is to belonger & for breth as ye rome 
will giue way it is to bee a wainshote pulpit" and was to re- 
ceive "ten pounds . . . one half in Corne at ye Contry 
price and ye other halfe in neate Cattell — when ye work was 
done." 

The building having ceased to be used for public worship 
in 1703, was sold by the town on March 7, 1703-4, to "sargt 
John Gould for ^^5 in money, he to have the glass," and 
(tradition says) was removed to what is now known as the 
Smerage-Balch field on ihe westerly side of the Turnpike at 
Springville. 

Some of the early burials occurred around this meeting 
house, and thus the very ground became and with adjoining 
land still is, consecrate as "God's acre." 

Early in 1703 measures were taken by the town (which 
for 174 years from its incorporation in 1650 exercised ec- 
clesiastical authority) for the erection of the third house of 
worship, which building was by duly recorded votes to be "2 
& forty foot wide & 4 & forty foot long," and "set upon ye 
hill that is to be leveled for that end which is on the plain 
by Mr. Capens," and "ye pulpit shall be placed on ye north 



8 MEETING HOUSES. 

side of ye new meeting house," and in due time the edifice 
was completed and occupied. 

At length after years of use and occupation the condition 
of the building becoming a matter of general public concern, 
on May 19, 1757, a committee was appointed "to search the 
meeting house to see if it was worth repairing." Nearly two 
years after date of appointment, the committee reported ad- 
versely to such repair, and on January 9, 1759, the town 
voted "to build a new house fifty-four foot in Length and 
forty two foot in Bredth and twenty-six foot stud 
with a perpornable Steeple and set it where the old one 
stands." The baptismal records under date of June 3, 1759, 
furnish the information that Rebeckah, daughter of Mr. 
Thomas Perkins, was "ye last child baptised in ye old meeting 
house." The old house when taken down was used as a 
barn on the river meadows. 

The new meeting house, the fourth erected in the town 
and the second located on "the common," was raised July 4, 
1760, and six weeks later the construction had so far ad- 
vanced that at a town meeting held in the edifice the ques- 
tion of the interior finish was discussed, and shortly the build- 
ing was completed and dedicated. The total cost of the 
building was 743^ lOs 7 3-4d, and Dea. Bixby, Jacob 
Averill, Thomas Symonds and Nathan Hood comprised the 
building committee. 

Several committees were at different times assigned the 
duty of seating the people in the meeting house "according 
to their best skill and judgment," but were charged to "have 
respect to age and money." 

Within the past few months Mr. Benjamin Albert Orne (a 
native and resident of this town) has made and placed on 
public exhibition a model of this church, which is admitted 
to be a faithful reproduction of the old structure, and through 
his courtesy appears the illustration found on the opposite 
page. 

In 1817 a bell (the first in town) weighing 938 1-2 pounds 
and inscribed "Revere & Company, Boston, 1817," was pur- 
chased for $400 and placed in position in the belfry, and the 
town voted that it "be rung on all public days and tolled for 
funerals." 




THE MEETING HOUSE OF 1759. 
Frorri a model constructed by Benjamin A. Orne. 



MEETING HOUSES. 9 

Within this house were to be found the high pulpit, over- 
hung by a sounding board, the square pews with the more 
peculiar seating of the congregation, the deacons' straight 
snug box where they sat facing the congregation, the elders' 
pew, and the tithingman with his long rod. Surmounting the 
steeple was the weather-cock vane. 

At the Essex Institute in Salem is preserved the iron stand 
which held the christening basin as early as 1703, and also 
the contribution box which was used by Deacon George 
Bixby. 

The pulpit used by Parson Capen was preserved for many 
years. In 1850, at the bicentennial, it was used as the speak- 
ers rostrum, but all trace of it has now been lost. 

One of the pulpit chairs used in the 1759 meeting-house 
is now in the possession of Mrs. Malcolm McLoud. Anoth- 
er pulpit chair is in the possession of the Topsficld Histori- 
cal Society. 

The physical condition of the building was frequently the 
subject of animated discussions and many votes for repairs 
are recorded. At a meeting held February 2, 1842, a reso- 
lution was passed that "the time has come when the interest 
of the Congregational Society and the comfort of its wor- 
shipers require that something should be done whereby the 
house in which they worship shall be rendered more accept- 
able and inviting." William Munday, Cornelius B. Brad- 
street and John Gould Hood were appointed a committee to 
investigate the matter "and make a report of their doings at 
the annual meeting in March next." The committee pre- 
sented an exhaustive report, discussing repairs and altera- 
tions of the old building and even considering the advisabil- 
ity of a new edifice. 

April 27, 1842, John Gould Hood (chairman), William 
Munday, Benjamin P. Adams, Joel R. Peabody, Augustine 
S. Peabody and Cornelius B. Bradstreet were "chosen to 
contract for building of the new meeting house," and author- 
ized to "dispose of the old meeting house as they think 
proper." 

To enable the new house of worship to be erected on the 
site of its two predecessors, agreeable to the vote of the 
town, the old building was taken down during July and Au- 



lO MEETING HOUSES. 

gust, 1842, and sold in portions to suit the convenience of 
prospective purchasers, and the sum of $222.82 was received 
from such sales. 

Capt. Perley Tapley of Danvers, the famous buildinp^ 
mover of Essex County, purchased at private sale a part of 
the frame and boards, which were hauled to Salem by oxen 
and used in the construction of a large building on Boston 
Street, which structure in more recent years was used as a 
currier's shop. On the evening of August 1 1, 1906, the build- 
ing was totally destroyed by fire. 

The committe invited proposals for the construction of 
the edifice according to plans and specifications and several 
bids were received. The contract was awarded to Mark R. 
Jewett of Rowley, for the sum of $4300. 

September i, 2 and 3, 1842, the edifice was raised, and 
the work being prosecuted with due diligence was dedicated 
Wednesday, February 22, 1843. William Munday, John 
Gould Hood and John C. Batchelder were "chosen by ballot 
to make the necessary arrangements for the dedication of 
said house." The exercises included invocation and read- 
ing of the scripture by Rev. William S. Coggin, Boxford ; 
prayer, Rev. Daniel Fitz, Ipswich ; sermon, Rev. Anson 
McLoud, text — 95th Psalm, 6th and 7th verses ; prayer, Rev. 
Isaac Braman, Georgetown. 

In May, 1853, a vestry and organ loft was built on to the 
western end of the church, under the direction of William N. 
Cleaveland, William Munday and John Wright. 

In 1857 the first pipe organ was presented to the parish 
"By the Ladies Society and friends of the parish." It was 
manufactured by William Stevens, and was last heard in pub- 
lic on February II, 1907. The instrument was sold to the 
French Catholic Church, at Van Buren, Maine, and thus con- 
tinues its christian service. 

In November, 1906, a larger pipe organ of great power 
and sweetness was purchased at an expense of $2500. It 
was built by George S. Hutchings of Boston. The nucleus 
of the fund wasa bequest of Mrs. Lucy Lake Herrick of $500, 
and the balance was raised by the organ committee appoint- 
ed by the Ladies Society. The dedicatory service was held 
March 27, 1907, and May 5, the pastor described its me- 



MEETING HOUSES. I I 

chanical excellence in a sermon from the text, "Let every- 
thing that hath breath praise the Lord." To accommodate 
the new instrument, repairs to the vestry and alterations in 
the choir loft were made at an expense of approximately 
$275. 

The following have held the position of organist : Miss Anna 
Lowe, Boxford ; Miss Susan Ann Kimball, Topsfield ; Miss 
Laura Merrill, Mrs. Alice Learoyd Barnard, Danvers ; Miss 
Sarah Kimball Leach, Miss Mary Augusta Balch, Miss Flor- 
ence Eliza Balch, Miss Lizzie Porter Lake and E. Davis 
Brooks, Topsfield. 

In 1891 the interior of the church was repaired and 
adorned at an expense of over $1200, and memorial win- 
dows placed to preserve the name of beloved worshipers. 

Upon the reopening of the church, January 5, 1892, the 
pastor's sermon topic was "Repairs of the Lord's House," 
and a Sunday School concert was given in the evening with 
the subject "The Lord's House." 

The inscriptions on the memorial windows are as follows: 

(South side, reading from west to east.) 



In Memoriam 

Dea. John Wright 

Born June 4th, 1804 

Died July 29th, 1861 



In Memoriam 

Abigail Wildes Wright 

Born Nov. 7, 1807 

Died Oct. 19th, 185 1 



In Memoriam 
1806 Benj. P. Adams 1875 

and 

1808 Abbie S. Adams 1872 

By their Daughter Mary A. Whittemore 



12 MEETING HOUSES. 



In Memoriam 
1811 Samuel Adams 1862 

and 

1808 Elizabeth Adams 1888 

By Mr. & Mrs. C. A. Whittemore 



Deacon Samuel C. Todd 

Born April 23d, 1783 

Died December 29th, 1858 

Chosen Deacon 
November i8th 181I 



(North Side, reading from west to east) 



In Memoriam 
Adeline Marsh Merriam 

1 806- 1 887 



In memory of 

Anson McLoud 

Pastor of this Church 1 841 -1869 

Born June 22, 1813 

Died February 21, 1883 

In memory of 

Jane Cornish McLoud 

Beloved wife of Anson McLoud 

Born October 23, 1816 

Died February 13, 1900 



"Blessed 
In Memoriam are the Dead 

Cleaveland which die in 

the Lord" 



FURNISHINGS. 



13 



The two windows of tasteful design in the singers' gal- 
lery are dedicated to Miss Susan Wildes and Miss Mary 
Towne. 



CHURCH AND VESTRY FURNISHINGS. 



The Communion Service of the Church from the 
Earliest to the Present Time. 



June 23, 1816, a Bible was presented for pulpit use by 
thirty-one young ladies. The book is still in very good pres- 
ervation and in the possession of Deacon Edwin S. Clif- 
ford. 

In 1842 a chandelier of twelve lamps and also two pulpit 
lamps were presented by Mr. Solomon Wildes and family of 
Boston. 

A pulpit with its furnishings of sofa and four chairs uphol- 
stered in red brocade velvet, and a table were given by Mr. 
Solomon Wildes and family. 

February 23, 1843, a Bible for pulpit use was given by 
Mrs. Solomon Wildes, and a hymn book was presented by 
her daughters, Phebc and Catherine Wildes. 

In January, 1850, a clock was received from John Cleave- 
land, Esq., of New York City. 

In 1868-9, a hymn and tune book, called "Book of Praise," 
was adopted in place of Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs 
of Isaac Watts, D. D. 

At least three different carpets have been laid in the pres- 
ent church. The first, which was furnished by the Ladies 
Society, was in buff colors — rather light for the aisles, while 
around the pulpit and rostrum was brussels in dark shades. 
The Brussels carpet is now in use in the small room in the 
rear of the organ. 



14 CHURCH AND VESTRY 

About 1865 a new floor covering was furnished by the 
Young People's Society, the aisle surface being green and 
black, while about the pulpit and rostrum, the colors were red, 
black and white. This carpet when removed did further ser- 
vice in the Emerson-Holmes parsonage. 

The adornment of the church in 1892 included the pur- 
chase of a new carpet by subscription, which was laid over 
the entire floor space of the auditorium. Two male mem- 
bers of the choir refurnished the singers' gallery, putting in 
a carpet like that in the body of the church. Six chairs 
upholstered in red damask, with two upholstered cushions to 
match were also purchased. 

In 1882 a small chandelier with six lamps for lighting the 
singers' gallery, together with twelve lamps in clusters of two 
each, and arranged around the church were secured through 
the efforts of Mrs. Mary Stone Kimball. 

In 1886 a beautifully painted scroll, suspended from the 
pulpit, with the motto "Christ our Hope," was presented by 
Miss Jane Dickson, who made her home with Rev. L. S. 
Crawford. 

In 1895 "The Book of Praise" gave place to the "Plymouth 
Hymnal," with hymns, tunes and responsive readings. 

January 5, 1892, the pulpit Bible was received from Justin 
Hood Welch. 

In 1876 scriptural mottoes were purchased by subscription 
and hung about the walls of the vestry. 

In 1879 an organ for vestry use was purchased by popular 
subscription and the sale of an old organ. 

In 1880 a clock was presented by Benjamin Jacobs. 

In June, 1893, the Y. P. S. C. E. purchased an organ for 
vestry use. 



SACRAMENTAL FURNISHINGS. 

In 1734, the church voted to buy two new flagons and two 
new tankards, sell the old ones for all they could, and take the 
balance of the money for the new ones from the church 
stock. 



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FURNISHINGS. 1 5 

In 1764, the church voted that the Deacons buy two silver 
tankards for the communion table, and sell the three old pew- 
ter tankards used at the Lord's table. 

In 1778, the church sold to Deacon George Bixby, a pewter 
tankard not in use, for twenty-one shillings. 

In 1 801, the Deacons bought for the church from a legacy 
and interest of $46.26, a silver tankard for the sum of $39.00, 
and also one demijohn, one stone jug, one tunnel and lock 
for the church chest, and the balance of the money was put 
at interest. 

May 29, 18 18, Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland purchased for the 
church two silver-plated flagons at a cost of $40.00 and six 
silver plated cups for $27.00, at a total expense of $67.00. 

In 1828, the church voted that the communion service be 
held bi-monthly instead of once in six weeks as heretofore, 
which practice is still in use. 

Feb'y 22, 1843. George Hood presented to the church a 
baptismal font beautifully inscribed. 

May 29, 1843. ^y vote of the church, the Deacons dis- 
posed of the old silver tankard purchased in 1801 at an ex- 
pense of $39.00, for $24.63, and with the amount purchased 
two silver-plated baskets to be used in the distribution of the 
bread at the communion table, and a plate for the baptismal 
font costing $1.25. 

August 25, 1850. John Cleaveland, Esq.. of New York City 
presented to the church one half dozen silver plates, three for 
the distribution of the bread at communion table and three 
to be used in taking the contribution. 

In 1850, the church gave the two baskets formerly used 
at the communion service to the pastor, Rev. Anson Mc- 
Loud, and Dea. Samuel C. Todd. 

1885. Nine lady members presented the church with 
two modern silver tankards, which are still in the possession 
of the church, as are also the six drinking cups purchased 
in 1818. 

1902. Envelopes for communion dues were first used. 

1906. One of the old fashioned pewter plates formerly 
used at communion table is still preserved by the church. 



l6 SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL. 



The story of the first quarter century of the Sunday School 
is lost. It has been stated however, that the school was or- 
ganized in May 1818, in the red school-house on the com- 
mon north of the meeting house, the church looking upon it 
with some disfavor for several years. Among its first mem- 
bers Dea. Samuel C. Todd, Miss Nabby Perkins, Miss Mary 
Hood, Miss Mary Cleaveland, Samuel Todd, and Augustine S. 
Peabody, have been named : and among the early superin- 
tendents were Dr. Jeremiah Stone, and Alfred W. Pike, pre- 
ceptor at the Academy, both of whom served in the early thir- 
ties. 

A church record in 1848 would indicate that the church 
had assumed the charge of the school, for Dea. Joel R. Pea- 
body, Dea. John Wright and Samuel Todd were appointed a 
committee to look after its interests; and continued in office 
three successive years. April 21,1875, Dea, Augustine S. 
Peabody tendered his resignation to the Sunday School Com- 
mittee who referred it to the Church ; the latter voted not to 
accept the resignation and chose Daniel Emerson Hurd Ass't 
Superintendent. He moved to Westminister in 1883. It is 
remembered by several that Rev. Mr. McLoud always took a 
deep interest in this method of Bible study. The largest en- 
rollment known was in 1864-65, when 210 was the total. In 
1885 the regular attendance was 127. For the past half- 
century the following superintendents have served the 
School. 

1854-1856, Dr. David Choate. 
1856-1884, Dea. Augustine S. Peabody. 
1875-1883, Daniel E. Hurd, Assistant. 
1884-1886, J. Porter Gould. 
1886-1887, Charles J. Peabody. 
1887-1893, E. Perkins Averill. 
1893- 1904, Albert M. Dodge. 
1904- Franklin Balch. 



THE ladies' society, 1 7 

THE HOME DEPARTMENT. 



In October, 1906, a Home Department was formed through 
the efforts of three members of the Church, and the member- 
ship soon reached thirty. Mrs. Abby L. Elliott was appoint- 
ed Superintendent at the following annual church Meeting, 
and Mrs. Laura Dame Assistant Superintendent. The mem- 
bers are among the most thoughtful and studious of our congre- 
gation, persons whose duties are such that they find it more 
convenient to give an hour to the study of the lesson at some 
other time than Sunday noon, and their interest in this sys- 
tematic study of the Bible has already brought good results 
to the church. 



THE LADIES' SOCIETY. 



Pursuant to public notice the ladies connected with the 
Congregational Church met in Academy Hall (now the High 
SchoolBuilding) m October, 1 841, for the formation of a 
social organization. The meeting adopted a constitution and 
elected the following officers: 

President, Mrs. Adeline M. Merriam ; vice president, Miss 
Mary Cleaveland; secretary, Mrs. Joel R. Peabody ; treasur- 
er, Mrs. Anson McLoud. 

The first public meeting of the society was held at the 
home of Mrs. Benj. P. Adams (now the residence of Mr. 
Joseph B. Poor) on Main Street, in June, 1842, Miss Mehita- 
ble Todd being the only resident survivor. 

The furnishingof the new meetinghouse, (dedicated Feb- 
ruary 22, 1843,) with a carpet was the first work of the so- 
ciety and to this end a sale was held in Academy Hall, July 
4, 1842. 

There was a "most inviting display of Articles, curious, 
beautiful and useful." The total amount of the sales was 
nearly $175. "The hall was duly honored with the choicest 



1 8 THE WOMANS' MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 

decorations from the forest." An original poem by the gift- 
ed secretary was read and there was also "the occasional per- 
formance of exhiliating pieces of music by the Topsfield 
choir." 

In 1853 the organization pledged and paid the sum of 
$200 toward the expense of building the vestry on the west 
end of the church. 

In 1856-7 a church organ being deemed a necessity the 
society immediately perfected plans which ultimately pro- 
duced the instrument and has borne the expense of its main- 
tenance. 

The society has also established a circulating library, 
which for a number of years was the principal source of read- 
ing matter for the people but in 1875 donated its excellent 
collection of books to the newly organized town library. 

The 40th anniversary of the organization was observed Fri- 
day evening, April 28, 1882, at the residence of Mr. Benjamin 
Jacobs on Main Street (now "The Knolls"). Rev. Frank P. 
Tompkins presided and the interesting exercises included : A 
review of the work of the society by the President, Mrs. Lucy 
Lake Herrick ; its early history, Rev. Anson McLoud ; the 
poem written for the fair held July 4, 1842, was read by Miss 
Laura Hobart Lake ; and brief address, Mr. Jacobs and Mr. 
C. J. Peabody. A copy of the above mentioned poem which 
has been preserved by Mrs. Louisa Morgan Leach was on 
exhibition throughout the evening. 

The assets of the society include a savings bank deposit of 
$100. 

The Parish records contain frequent mention of the assist- 
ance received from the Ladies Sewing Circle, which was the 
original name of this society. 



THE WOMANS' MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 



At a meeting held May 3, 1870, in the vestry of the church 
a society to be called the Woman's Missionary Society auxil- 
iary to the Woman's Board of Missions was organized by 14 



CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR SOCIETY. IQ 

persons. The early records of the society are still in exist- 
ence and state its object to be "the collection of mone}' for 
missionary purposes and the cultivation of a missionary spirit 
among its members. All money raised by the society shall 
be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Woman's Board of Mis- 
sions to be used for the general purposes of their organiza- 
tion." The names of 40 charter members are recorded. 

The first officers were: President, Mrs. Louisa Morgan 
Leach; secretary, Miss Ellen F. Morgan ; and treasurer, Miss 
Sarah Stickney Edwards. 

The sum of $1447.60 has been expended for the support 
of a teacher in Inanda Seminary, Africa, and scholarships in 
the girls boarding schools at Harpoot and Adabazar, Tur- 
key, and Guadalajara. 



THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN 
ENDEAVOR. 



The young people have always been an important factor 
in the life of Topsfield. Even to-day our town, unlike the 
usual rural community, holds and prizes its young people. 
But for the church to consider their interests, outside the 
Sunday school arrangements, is something comparatively 
recent. Children and young people were not expected at 
the church prayer meeting fifty years ago. and when a young 
Christian made such attendance his practice, he usually felt 
lonesome if not ashamed. But soon after the civil war many 
churches began to see their duty to their youth, and various 
lines of effort were tried, the central idea being a young 
people's prayer meeting. Such an organization was the 
Helping Hand Society connected with this church, and which 
accomplished worthy things for the church and commu- 
nity for several years before the Endeavor movement be- 
gan. 

The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was 
organized in Topsfield in November, 1891, with 15 Active, 
and 5 associate, members; Albert M. Dodge being chosen 



20 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

first President. During its fourteen years, there have been 
nine different presidents ; and the society has been a moral 
force in the community, rendering assistance both spiritual 
and financial to the church. Its total membership has regis- 
tered 94 Active and 6"] associate members; 19 of the asso- 
ciates having become Active. 

The Society's interest in Missions has been evidenced by 
occasional contributions; and its enthusiasm has been a 
marked assistance to the church, and a help to the various 
pastors. In 1895, 28 active members attended the Boston 
Convention. 

At the last annual election in 1905 the problem of the fu- 
ture was faced. All recognized that in its present condition 
the Society was not fulfilling its mission, and various propo- 
sitions were considered for increasing its effctiveness. But 
after several adjourned meetings, strong sentiment yielded 
to the general conviction that some other method of work is 
needed today among young peoble than that of the prayer 
meeting pledge ; and the reluctant motion to disband was 
carried. This matter was reported to the Church at its 
next Annual Meeting, with the hope that some plan might 
be devised that would enlist our young people in the Lord's 
work. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

OF THE 

MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH. 



WILLIAM KNIGHT. 

After the settlers in New Meadows became somewhat nu- 
merous, divine worship was attempted William Knight being 
the first preacher, so far as can be ascertained. His service 
covered a period of about four years from 1639-43. It is 
known that he had trouble with the ecclesiastical courts in 



OF THE MINISTRY. 21 

England, and therefore left the country, arriving in Salem in 
1636 or 1637. Between 1620 and 1640 no record was kept 
in England of those Puritans who came to New England ; 
therefore it is diflf^cult to identify the William Knight who 
took his B. A. at Queen's College, Cambridge, in 1608, with 
Topsficld's first pVeacher. If they are identical, then this 
preacher was a contemporary at Cambridge of Cotton, 
Hooker, Wilson, Francis Higginson and Ezekicl Rogers. 



REV. WILLIAM PERKINS. 



He was born in London, England, August 25, 1607. He 
was the son of William and Catherine Perkins, and grandson 
of George and Catherine Perkins of Abbots Salferd, County 
of Warwick, England. He was an early, if not the earliest, 
ancestor of this name in town. 

The first mention made of him is in March, 1633, when 
with the illustrious John Winthrop, Jr. and eleven others, he 
began the settlement of Ipswich. He was admitted a free- 
mcui Sept. 30, 1634. He very soon removed to Roxbury, 
where he married Elizabeth Wooton, Aug. 30, 1636. In 
1643 he removed to Weymouth, which town he represented 
in the General Court in 1644. He was also a commissioner 
to settle small debts, &c., a leader of a military company, 
and a member of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- 
pany. 

He resided in Weymouth from 1643 to 1648; was select- 
manini647; schoolmaster in 1650. In 1651 he removed 
to Gloucester where he preached until 1655. From thence 
he came to Topsfield and became its second minister. He 
preached here a few years, and then spent the remainder of 
his life in the calm pursuits of husbandry. It is said he was 
one of the most accomplished persons among the early sett- 
lers of Topsfield. A scholar, a man of business, a farmer, a 
clergyman, a soldier, and legislator, he bore himself in them 
all with ability and discretion. 



22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

One of bis daughters, born in Topsfield March 2, 1657, 
married June 17, 1679, John Bradstreet, son of Gov. Brad- 
street. 

It is further said of him he was an excellent man and a 
good antiquary. He once visited his native country, but died 
in Topsfield, May 21, 1682, aged seventy-five years. 



THOMAS GILBERT 



Was born in St. Andrews, Scotland, August 5, 1610, and 
became a clergyman of the Established Church, serving a 
charge at Chedle, in Cheshire, and another at Eling in Mid- 
dlesex. But the spirit of St. Andrews, which had fired John 
Knox, was on him ; and the very Word which he preached 
turned his mind toward the liberty of the Spirit. He was 
so good a Scot that he was loyal to his convictions rather 
than to Scotland's idol, "bonnie prince Charlie"; and thus 
both in theory and practice he became a Non-conformist. It 
would seem that he never hesitated to tell the truth concern- 
ing the dissolute Charles. 

He is sometimes listed with those 2000 clergymen who 
lost their livings by the Act of Uniformity in 1662. Peihaps 
he foresaw this, for he anticipated that Act by a year, and 
sailed from London on the "Prudent Mary," arriving at Bos- 
ton in July, 1661. November 4, 1663, he became the minis- 
ter of the newly organized church at Topsfield. Here he 
took no pains to cloak his opinions of the wickedness en- 
throned in the mother country, and in 1666 he was brought 
to trial for sedition. But the people who honored and 
cherished Goffe the regicide could not condemn the same 
spirit in a zealous preacher, and he was readily acquitted. 
Four years later he was tried for intemperance, and as there 
was no doubt of his guilt his connection with the church was 
severed in 167 1, the minister himself manifesting as much 
grief as any one. The charge was not on account of his 
use of wine, but because of his coming intoxicated to the 
Lord's table. He seems not to have sought another settle- 



OF THE MINISTRY. 23 

merit, but to have retired to Charlestovvn, where he was bur- 
ied October 28, 1673. In many respects he was a represent- 
ative man, and much in advance of the man)' ; and but for 
the one blot upon his record here, his service of the communi- 
ty would have been recognized for its singular ability and 
fearlessness, for in Frochingham's History of Charlcstown he 
is "the reverend, sincere, zealous, able and faithful servant 
of Christ, Mr. Thomas Gilbert." 



REV. JEREMIAH HOBART 



Was the second son of Rev. Peter Hobart, A. M., and was 
born in England, April 6, 163 1. 

(Peter Hobart was born at Hingham, Norfolk, 1604, and 
received his education at Cambridge, where he discovered 
much gravity, sobriety, and hatred of all vice. By his pious 
parents he was dedicated to the Lord from his earliest infan- 
cy. After he had finished his studies at the university, he 
taught school, and preached occasionally for a conformist 
minister at whose house he lodged. He was afterwards ex- 
ceedingly harassed and persecuted from one place to anoth- 
er, on account of his nonconformity. His last place of abode 
was Haverhil in Suffolk, where his labours were rendered a 
blessing to many souls. The arbitrary proceedings of the 
prelates became, at length, so intolerant, that he resolved to 
retire to New England, where he should be free from all epis- 
copal molestation, obtain a settled place of abode, and be 
constantly employed in the work of the Lord. Accordingly 
in the year 1635, he embarked with his wife and four chil- 
dren ; and after a long and sickly voyage, arrived at Charles- 
tovvn, where he found his parents, brethren, and sisters, got 
safe before him. He received invitations from several 
churches, but settled, with his friends, upon a new plantation, 
which he called Hingham. There he gathered a church and 
continued its able and useful pastor many years. Brook's 
"Lives of the Puritans," iii,47i. London, 1813.) 



24 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Jeremiah, with his older brother Joshua, attended Harvard 
College, graduating in 1650. After preaching at Bass River 
(now Beverly), and other places, he was ordained at Tops- 
field, October 2, 1672. There followed a ministry both 
scholarly and devout; but finding it difficult to collect his 
salary of £70 per annum, he resigned the charge, being dis- 
missed September 21, 1680. For several years he served the 
church at Hempstead, Long Island, beginning 1683. Had- 
dam, Conn., became his next field of labor and his final rest- 
ing place, his pastorate there beginning in 1691. Here Rev. 
Phineas Fish became his colleague in 1714. 

The aged minister's last hours were spent in the house of 
the Lord. On November 6, 17 15, the Lord's Day, he re- 
ceived the Sacrament, and during the intermission expired, 
sitting in his chair. 

Three years later, in the same town, was born his grand- 
son, whose young life was a marvel of devout energy and evan- 
gelistic zeal, David Brainerd. 



REV. JOSEPH CAPEN, M. A. 



In a long line of worthy men, eminent for godliness and 
scholarship, none has left a deeper impression upon the town 
of Topsfield than Rev. Joseph Capen, minister of the town 
from 1682 until his death, June 30, 1725. 

Vol. II, Sibley's "Harvard Graduates" is authority for the 
following summary. Mr. Capen was born in Dorchester 
December 20, 1658, the son of John Capen and his second 
wife, Mary (daughter of Samuel Bass of Braintree) ; was 
baptised January 2, 1659; and united with the church in 
Dorchester April 10, 1681. During the following summer 
the people of Topsfield learned of his ability, and sought to 
secure him for their minister; and in town meeting Septem- 
ber 26, 1681, voted that he might have the use of the parson- 
age house and land and his choice of 75 lbs. in country pay, 
as corn, pork and beef, or 20 lbs. in silver and 45 lbs. in 
country pay. He chose the latter, and was dismissed from 



UK thp: ministry. 25 

the church in Dorchester "ye first of yc 4 82 . . . to 
foync to ye Church at Topsfield in order to his ordination of 
a pastor to that church." Two months later a New Haven 
church tried in vain to persuade him to settle in that colony. 

Jur.c II, 1684, he was ordained as successor of Jeremiah 
Ilobart, the town having voted at a meeting May 16, 
1684, 

"Lliut Pebody Deacken Perkins Lliut Baker Ensigne Pebody 
John Houey Corpr Townes Isacke Estey Senr & John Gould 
Senr are Chosen to prouide for Mr Capcn ordanation and the 
Towne and Church to pay for ye Charges thay bee out about 
it in such as thay Lay out Ether in Kind or eles in that as ye 
Law dos say is equeliant to it." 

A year later the town began to fear that they were to lose 
their talented young pastor, and "at a lawful town meeting 
the fift of sapember 1685 sargen Redington Jacob towne senr 
and John how or ani two of them ar Chosen to acompeni mr 
Capen to dorchester when hee goes to viset his frendcs and 
to bring him agane if tha Can with his frendes Consent to 
Contene with vs in the ministri." 

Mr. Capen wisely led the minds of his people along the 
varied paths of knowledge, and this was appreciated, for on 
October 22, 1686, the town voted to request him " to prech 
lecters" as often as was convenient to him. By his fearless 
and godly wisdom the people of Topsfield were protected 
during the days of the witchcraft delusion; though a tradi- 
tion, lingering in the annals of New England, asserts that 
one Sunday morning he was a little late at church because 
Satan was loath to depart from a maid serving in the good 
minister's home. But the man of God prevailed, and the 
demon was exorcised. 

(The longest pastorate, with the exception of that of Rev. 
John Emerson, in the history of the church, it was also rich 
in influence, and resulted in 230 admissions to church mem- 
bership.) 

Mr. Capen married in 1684 Priscilla Appleton, daughter of 
John and Priscilla Glover Appleton of Ipswich. 

She was born December 25, 1657 and died at Topsfield, 
October 18, 1743. 



26 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Their children : 

Priscilla, b. i Sept., 1685, who married 21 September, 1708, 
Caleb Thomas of Marshfield. 

John, b. 15 June, 1687; died 26 April, 1732. 

Mary, baptised 17 February, 1688-9; niarried 5 January, 
1709-10; Thomas Baker of Topsfield. 

Elizabeth, baptised 26 April, 1691 ; died 22 March, 1781 ; 
married 12 October, 1711, Simon, (b. 14 April, 1692, son 
of John and Sarah) Bradstreel, grandson of Gov. Brad- 
street. 

Joseph, baptised 6 August, 1693 ; died in infancy. 

Nathaniel, born 13 July, 1695 ; died 16 February, 1749-50, 
unmarried. 

Sarah, born 2 April, 1699; married 9 May, 1717, John 
Bradford of Boston. 



REV. JOHN EMERSON. 



The sixth preacher and the fourth regular minister of 
Topsfield, son of Edward and Rebecca (Waldo) Emerson, 
was born in Chelmsford, Mass., February 27, 1706-7. He 
was a grandson of Rev. Joseph Emerson, first minister of 
Mendon, Mass. He was a brother of Rev. Joseph Emerson, 
from whom descended four generations down, the beautiful 
writer and eloquent apostle of transcendental philosophy, 
Ralph Waldo Emerson. 

Rev. John Emerson was a clergyman, graduated from Har- 
vard College in 1726. He was ordained the same year. Set- 
tled as town minister of Topsfield, Mass., November 27, 
1728. 

Rev. John Emerson was a pious clergyman of good at- 
tainments and his long ministry flowed on in quiet and har- 
mony. He is also credited with holding the longest pastor- 
ate of any minister in the history of the church, a period of 
forty-six years. 

No very especial happenings are recorded of his long min- 
istry, except the addition to the church membership of two hun- 




REV. DANIEL BRECK. 

Frorri aq Oil Portrait '\r\ the possessioq of 
Judge Charles H. BrecU. 



OF THE MINISTRY. 27 

dred and seven names, also the erection of a house for his own 
occupancy in 1733-4 on the site of the present Balch-Jordan 
three-story dwelling in which were his study and some other 
rooms said to have been retained in the eastern end of this pres- 
ent structure; and the building of the fourth meeting-house 
in 1759. 

He married October 23, 1729, Elizabeth Pratt, born at 
Maiden, Mass., 1708. Their family consisted of sixteen chil- 
dren, (eight sons and eight daughters), several died in infan- 
cy, two died in middle life, the rest married and most of 
them went to live in near-by towns and cities. His labors 
ended almost with his life. He died in Topsfield, July ii, 
1774, aged 6"] years 5 mos. His widow also died here April 
I, 1790, aged 82 years. 



REV. DANIEL BRECK. 



Rev. Daniel Breck, son of John and Margaret (Thomas) 
Breck, and of the fifth generation from Edward Breck, who 
settled at Dorchester, Mass., in 1635, was born at Boston, 
Mass., August 29, 1748 (o. s.), and graduated from Prince- 
ton College in 1774. 

He was pastor of the Congregational Church of Topsfield, 
Mass., from November 17, 1779, to May 26, 1788. 

During the Revolutionary war he was a chaplin and ac- 
companied Col. Porter's regiment into Canada under Genl. 
Montgomery and was present in the attack upon Quebec. 

His theological training was pursued under the direction 
of Stephen West, D. D. (born November 13, 1735, and died 
May 15, 1819) and Joseph Bellamy, D. D. (born February 
20, 1719, and died March 6, 1790), two of the most profound 
theologians of their time. 

Having become financially interested in the military cer- 
tificates secured upon land in Ohio, he visited the Northwest- 
ern Territory and has the distinction of having delivered on 
July 20, 1788, the first sermon ever preached on the spot 
where now stands Marietta, the first town of importance set- 



28 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

tied in the state of Ohio, April, 1788. (The State was ad- 
mitted into the Union in 1802.) His text was Luke i :33, 
"And of his Kingdom there shall be no end." 

In March, 1786, he was married to Hannah Porter, daugh- 
ter of Elijah and Dorothy (Clark) Porter of Topsfield. 

November ii, 1789, Mr. Breck became the first settled 
minister of Hartland, Vermont, and was dismissed January 
27. 1797- He continued his residence in Hartland until his 
death on August 12, 1845, ^^ the age of 97 years. Mrs. 
Breck died June 15, 1838, aged 81 years. 



REV. RODNEY GOVE DENNIS, A. M., 



Was born at New Boston, N. H., April 17, 1791, the 
youngest of the thirteen children of Arthur and Mary (Good- 
hue) Dennis. "When in 1813 he entered the Sophomore 
class of Bowdoin College, he found in the institution but one 
professing Christian brother. Honorable mention of his ex- 
ample and influence as an undergraduate is made in Prof. 
Egbert Cofifin Smyth's religious history of the college." 
Upon the completion of his college course, he entered the 
Andover Theological Seminary and graduated in 18 19. 

Owing to ill-health, his principal pastorates were at Tops- 
field, Mass., October 4, 1820, to May 6, 1829 (the acces- 
sions numbering 11) and Somers, Conn., June 30, 1830, to 
June 30, 1839; both terms of service being terminated at his 
request. For several years he was the agent of the Ameri- 
can Education Society, and subsequently accepted supply 
engagements. 

November 28, 1820, he married Mary Parker, the eldest 
daughter of Capt. Stephen and MaryDuren Parker of Biller- 
ica. They adopted Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Deacon 
Samuel Cherry and Lydia Gould Todd of Topsfield, and she 
married Theodore D. Billings. A number of his sermons 
and an address given at the opening of the Topsfield Acad- 
emy, May 7, 1828, have been published. The closing years 
of his life were passed on his farm at Southboro, Mass., where 
he died September 29, 1865. 




REV. RODNEY GOVE DENNIS. 




REV. JAMES FRISBIE McEWEN. 



OF THE MINISTRY. 



REV. ASAHEL HUNTINGTON, A. M.. 



29 



Was born at Franklin, Conn., March 17, 1761, the son of 
Barnabas and Anne (Wright) Huntington. He graduated 
at Dartmouth College in 1786, and studied divinity with Rev. 
Dr. Backus of Somers, Conn., and Rev. Dr. Levi Hart of 
Preston, Conn. He was ordained pastor of the church at 
Topsfield, November 12, 1789. 

In 1791 he brought from Pomfret, Conn., a bride, Alethea, 
daughter of Dr. Elisha Lord, the bridal trip being made on 
horse back. The remainder of the worthy minister's life 
was passed in Topsfield, where he died April 22, 1813, aged 
52, after a pastorate of over 23 years, during which he was 
honored for his abilities, beloved for his Christian graces, 
and deeply lamented as the good and faithful shepherd of 
his flock. 37 on confession was the number of additions dur- 
ing his pastorate. Several of his sermons were published. 
In 1799 he was a member of the State Legislature. 

Of his behavior during the trying period of theological con- 
troversy one who knew him well has written : "His theo- 
logical opinions were strictly evangelical, but being a truly 
wise man, and affectionate and conciliatory in all his inter- 
course with his people, he secured, and retained, their confi- 
dence, attachment, and respect." 

His sons were Hon. Elisha Huntington, M. D. (Dartmouth 
1815) who was the Lieut. Governor of Mass, in 1853, and 
Hon. Asahel Huntington (Yale 1819) Mayor of Salem in 
1853, and Clerk of Essex County Courts from 1851 until his 
death. 



REV. JAMES FRISBIE McEWEN 



Was born at East Hartford, Conn., August 25, 1793, and 
died at West Brattleboro, Vt., April 14, 1850, aged 56. 
He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1823, and at An- 



30 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

dover Theological Seminary in 1826, and was ordained a 
colleague pastor of the Congregational church at Bridport, 
Vermont, June 7, 1827 ; from which charge he was dismissed 
December i, 1829. He was installed at Topsfield, Mass., 
May 5, 1830, and dismissed May 5, 1841. There followed a 
pastorate of five years at Rye, N. H., after which he retired 
to a farm in West Brattleboro, Vt., and passed the remainder 
of his life. 

In September, 1827, he married Harriot Cook at Clare- 
mont, N. H. Born near the close of the i8th century, his 
youth witnessed the great religious awakening which fol- 
lowed upon the "haystack prayer meeting" and the forming 
of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Mis- 
sions. While he pursued his education this movement be- 
came more extensive ; Dwight, Nettleton, Finney, Edward 
Payson, Lyman Beecher and Leonard Woods, being leaders 
among the scores of Congregational divines whose preach- 
ing was intensely evangelistic. This evangelistic note was 
the key to Mr. McEwen's preaching and indeed to his entire 
ministry, and in soul-winning purpose and power no other 
pastorate in Topsfield equals that of Pastor McEwen. 184 
on confession and 9 by letter, is the excellent list of addi- 
tions for eleven years. 



REV. ANSON McLOUD, 



Rev. Anson McLoud, was born June 22, 1813, at East 
Hartland, Conn., the son of Anson and Clarissa (Beaman) 
McLoud, and a descendant of Aurora McLoud, who imigrat- 
ed from Scotland during the French and Indian wars. 

His special education was obtained at Yale College (1838), 
Union Theological Seminary and Andover Theological Sem- 
inary (1841) and he was ordained December 8, 1841. 

His life service was given to the Congregational Church of 
Topsfield, Mass., which he served as pastor from December 
8, 1 841, to October i, 1869. 

For a long period of years he was an influential factor in 




REV. ANSON McLOUD. 



OF THE MINISTRY. 3 I 

moulding public (^[)iiiion on religious and civic duties and 
obligations. His sermons were notable for their fresh and 
vigorous doctrinal statements, and his announcement of a 
series of discourses on selected themes was sure to find 
a keenly-interested congregation in attendance at the time 
and place appointed for their presentation, and at the conclu- 
sion of the service, his words furnished the subject of wide- 
spread discussion. 

His services to the town were diversified in character and 
of inestimable value, and to him more than any other single 
individual are we indebted for the high standard of our dis- 
trict school system, which has formed the basis of our pres- 
ent educational facilities. He served as a member of the 
school committee from 1875 to 1882, and was also amember 
of the committee appointed by the town to investigate and 
report upon the feasibility of establishing a town library and 
held membership on the board of trustees, in addition to 
the position of librarian from the founding of the library in 
1873, until his death, February 21, 1883. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Legislature from this town in 1872. 

Through the efforts of Rev. Alfred Porter Putnam, D. D. 
(a native of Danvers, Mass., for 22 years pastor of the First 
Unitarian Church — The Church of the Saviour — of Brook- 
l}'n, N.Y.) the valuable library of Mr. McLoud was pur- 
chased by Mr. Abiel Abbot Low of Brooklyn (born in 
Salem, Mass., February 7, 181 1, and died at Brooklyn, 
January 7, 1893) and offered to the town library for a Mc- 
Loud Department, which offer was accepted by the trustees 
on July 23, 1885. 

December 8, 1867, marking the date of the twenty-fifth 
anniversary of the settlement of Mr. McLoud, to those who 
can recall the event, is a day filled with thoughts and feel- 
ings which can never be forgotten ; while to the Churchman 
and intelligent reader, it may well stand as an estimate of 
the appreciation and devotion, of the qualifications and char-, 
acter and of the life and work of the subject of this 
sketch. 

In 1 84 1 he was married to Jane Cornish, daughter of 
George and Edna (Case) Cornish of Hartland, Conn., and 
she died at Boston, February 13, 1900. Their children were 



32 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Helen, born April i8, 1843, died March 28, 1895 I William, 
born February 25, i85i,died March 23, 1856; Malcolm, 
born July 7, 1854, died May 23, 1907, and Norman, born 
August 20, 1856, died December 15, 1901. The beloved 
pastor and his devoted wife are buried in Pine Grove Ceme- 
tery, in this town. 



REV. EDWARD PAYSON TENNEY, A. M., 



Was born September 29, 1835, at Concord, N. H., in the 
eighth generation from Thomas Tenney, immigrant, who 
settled in Rowley, Mass., in 1639. Lawyers, physicians, 
teachers and clergymen have been numerous among the des- 
cendants of this early settler. 

Edward Payson Tenney was educated at Pembroke Acad- 
emy, Dartmouth College, Bangor and Andover Seminaries, 
and was ordained a Congregational minister in 1859. He 
was pastor of Congregational churches at Manchester-b)^ 
-the-sea. Central City, Colorado, Braintree, Lowell and Ash- 
land, Massachusetts. 

During the civil war he was in the service of the Christian 
Commission. From 1876 to 1884 he was president of Col- 
orado College, the foundations of whose subsequent success 
and influence he laid with great faith, labor and patience. 

His pen was always that of a ready writer, and his literary 
record is not a short one. In 1858-9 he was assistant editor 
of the Pacific in San Francisco ; for a time he was editor of 
the Co7igregational Review^ the published addresses, re- 
views, and other articles from his pen have been numerous; 
and he is the author of the following volumes : yubilee 
Essays, The Silent House, Corojtation, Agamejtticus, The 
New West, Colorado and the New West, Constance of Acadia, 
Agatha and the Shadow, The Triumphs of the Cross, A 
Story of the Heavenly Camp Fires, Our Elder Brother, The 
Dream oj my Youth. [Literary World, June i, 1901.] 

He was installed at Topsfield, December i, 1869, and dis- 
missed at his own request September 10, 1870, — the shortest 




REV. EDWARD PAYSON TENNEY. 




REV. JAMES HILL FITTS, 
Eniargad froiri a group picture takeq about 



OF THE MINISTRY. 33 

pastorate in the history of this church. A devout lover of 
nature, he saw much to admire in this hill-girt town; and 
during his short stay wrote several choice sketches describ- 
ing the charms of Topsfield, which he still names "a dream 
of rural beauty." 



REV. JAMES HILL PITTS. 



He was born in Candia, New Hampshire, March 3, 1829. 
He was the son of John and Abigail (Lane) Pitts, a descen- 
dant of the eighth generation from Robert Pitts, the Ameri- 
can ancestor of the Pitts family, who settled in Salisbury, 
Mass., in 1635. He was educated in the public schools of 
Candia, at Pembroke Academy, and at the Normal Institute 
of Merrimack, N. H., and at Lancaster, Mass. 

Por service he taught in the public schools of New Hamp- 
shire, Maine, Mass., and at Ashby Academy. His theological 
education he obtained at Bangor Seminary, 1855-8 and at 
Andover. He was ordained as an evangelist at Candia, Nov. 
2, 1859. He held pastorates at Bo.xboro, 1858 to 1862; 
West Boylston, 1862 to 1870; Topsfield, June 22, 1871, to 
March 22, 1880; New Market, N. H. (afterwards called New- 
fields) 1880 to 1900. 

In the civil war he was engaged in the work of christian com- 
mission, 1863 and 1864. Served on several school boards 
where he was pastor; was a member of the N. H. Legisla- 
ture 1895, 3 member of N. H. Historical Society, also of the 
New England Historical Geneological Society, and for thir- 
teen years scribe of the Piscataqua Association of Congrega- 
tional Ministers. 

The following comprise his literary service : 19 Annual 
school reports, Geneology of the Pitts Pamily in America, 
Commemorative services of semi-centennial anniversary of 
the Sabbath School West Boylston, 1870; a sketch of South 
Newmarket, 1882; Historical address at the rededication of 
the brick meeting-house West Boylston, 1890; Lane Gene- 
ologies, 1 891. 



34 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

His motto through his ministry was, be the congregations 
large, or be they small, to deliver the message. The follow- 
ing from one of his own letters may serve as suflficient to 
show how he regarded his ministerial work. "I try to live 
day by day, doing its allotted duties. My vocation, I love 
it, and thank God for the privilege of telling the people of 
his great salvation. If I know my own heart, it is my high- 
est ambition to be a preacher of his word." 

He was married Jan'y i, 1862, to Mary Celina, daughter 
of Cofifin Moore and Dolly (Pillsbury) French of Candia, N. 
H. She was a sister of Rev. S. Franklin French, and of Rev. 
George H. French. She is a Christian lady in its highest 
sense, the kind that make the best of pastors wives. She en- 
deared herself very strongly and sweetly to the people of 
Topsfield during their pastorate here. 

Without a moment's warning, he passed from earth — "was 
not, for God took him," November 22, 1900, aged 71 years, 8 
months and 19 days. 



REV. FRANKLIN PEEL TOMPKINS, 



Was born at Philadelphia, Pa., October 4, 1843, and his 
educational advantages included attendance at Dickinson 
College, Carlisle, Pa., and the Concord (N. H.) Biblical In- 
stitute. 

Pastoral record: 1875-77, Crown Point, New York; 
1877-81, South Abington; August 7, 1881 to March 4, 
1883, Topsfield ; 1883-88, Claremont, N. H. 

In 1889 he removed to Hamilton, New York, and filled 
numerous engagements as a pulpit supply, but subsequently 
accepted the tenets of the Episcopal Church, and was or- 
dained a Deacon at Syracuse, N. Y., in 1891, and a Priest in 
1892 by Bishop Frederick Dan Huntington (the first Epis- 
copal Bishop of the Diocese of Central New York). During 
his connection with the Episcopal Church he was non- paro- 
chial. 

He was a person of original ideas, uncommon gifts, large 




REV, FRANKLIN PEEL TOMPKINS, 




REV, LYNDON SMITH CRAWFORD. 



OF THE MINISTRY. 



35 



experience, and engaging personality, and his addresses 
were strong throughout and made deep impression upon his 
hearers. As a result of his indefatigable industry nearly 
two score of converts were received into church member- 
ship, here. 

He was twice married, his second wife being Mrs. Helen 
(Smith) Taylor of New York, who survives him. He died 
at Carnegie, Pa., February 13, 1897. 



REV. LYNDON SMITH CRAWFORD, 



Was born at North Adams, Mass., March 24, 1852, the 
son of Rev. Robert Crawford, D. D., and Ellen Maria 
(Griflfin) Crawford. (Dr. Crawford was born in Paisley, 
Scotland, November 24, 1804 ; was pastor of the Congrega- 
tional Church at North Adams 1840 1855 ; and died at Clin- 
ton, Conn., October 26, 1896.) 

At the age of 16 the subject of this sketch united with the 
church of Christ (the Congregational, Deerfield, Mass.), and 
his call to service in foreign lands grew with the passing 
years. 

Bernardston Academy, Williams College, and Hartford 
Seminary furnished his training; and on August 20, 1879, 
he was ordained a missionary of the American Board, Prof. 
Matthew B. Riddle of Hartford, Dr. E. K. Alden of the Board 
and Rev. T. A. Emerson (a brother in law) of Braintree, Mass., 
participating in the ordination service. A month later, with 
his bride, Susie Doolittle, he sailed for his distant field in West- 
ern Turkey. After a period of nearly four years they re- 
turned to the United States, were released by the American 
Board, and Mi. Crawford accepted a call to Topsfield, the 
installation occurring September 27, 1883. 

Within the year the death of Mrs. Crawford, and the con- 
tinual drawing of the mission field, loosened his ties here, 
and he was dismissed October 18, 1886, returning at once 
to the service of the Board in its mission in Turkey. Short- 
ly before his departure he brought home a new bride, Miss 



36 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 

Grace Goodenoiigh of Westfield, Mass., and the reception 
tendered them was a marked event. Mr. Crawford's stay in 
Topsfield, though short, was full of good fruits. His fine 
Scottish qualities of reverence, of deference for the aged, 
and of solicitude for the shut in and afflicted, have left their 
distinct impression upon the town. 

His present address is Trebizond, Turkey. 



REV. CHARLES W. LUCK. 



Charles Washington Luck, son of Charles and Mary Jane 
(Agard) Luck and of English descent, was born at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, Feb'y 2, 1857, and received his special education 
at Andover Theological Seminary (1887) and Harvard Col- 
lege (1889). 

He has held the following pastorates: Cong'l Church, 
Topsfield, Mass., June 29, 1887, to Sept. 10, 1890; Cong'l 
Church, Pocatello, Idaho, 1890 to 1894; Cong'l Church, 
Ogden, Utah, 1894 to 1898; and Cong'l Church, Weiser, 
Idaho, 1898 to 1900. 

His pastorate over our church may be characterized as a 
clear, strong and practical presentation of the gospel truths ; 
but is entitled to special mention by reason of the admirable 
work he obtained by tact and skill from the Helping Hand 
Society, an auxiliary of the church. 

April 27, 1882, he was married to Adella Matilda Luce of 
Marion, Mass., and of their four children, the third. Margery 
was born in the parsonage (the Emerson-Holmes house). 

Since 1900 he has followed the profession of a civil and 
mining engineer and is now located at Weiser, Idaho. 




RtV. CHARLES W. LUCK, 




REV. ALBERT EDWARD BRADSTREET. 



(JF THE MINISTRY. 37 

REV. ALBERT EDWARD BRADSTREET. 



Rev. Albert Edward Bradstrcet was the son of Nathaniel 
and Elizabeth Bradstreet. He was born in Ipswich, Mass., 
July 17, 1 86 1, the ninth in a family of ten children — seven 
boys and three girls — six of whom are still living. He is a 
direct descendant of Humphry Bradstreet who came from 
England about 1635. He was of Puritan stock and has 
handed down to his descendants the Puritan heritage of 
strong principle. In every generation they have been among 
the staunch supporters of the church. The father, Nathaniel 
Bradstreet, held the office of Deacon in the Rowley church 
about twenty years ; and his son, Daniel Bradstreet, for twen- 
ty-five years. 

Mr. Bradstreet received his early education in the public 
schools of Ipswich and fitted for college in the Manning high 
school of that town. One year of his college work was taken 
at Dartmouth, after this he went to Oberlin. Ohio, and there 
completed his studies, taking the degree of B. D. in 1888. 
He was ordained at Lexington, Michigan, August 30, 1888, 
and supplied the Congregational Church (now Presbyterian) 
about one year. In January, 1890, he became pastor of the 
Congregational Church of Shelburne, Mass. This was an 
especially successful pastorate, seventeen young men being 
converted, and they have proved to be the very back-bone 
of the church. September i, 1891, he became pastor of the 
Congregational Church in Topsfield. Mass., and twelve were 
received into church membership during his three years' 
service. From Topsfield he went to Oxford, Mass., where 
he remained six years. This was a very successful pastor- 
ate, these six years being full of co-operation and fruit gather- 
ing. Two gracious revivals were experienced with an in- 
gathering into the church of fifty precious souls. 

On account of the failing health of his wife, he had to 
seek a warmer climate. In 1900 they moved to Lemon 
Grove and Spring Valley, Southern California, and remained 
two years, during which time the membership was doubled 
and a new parsonage built. The hot climate here not agree- 
ing with him, he took a six months engagement in Newport, 



3S BI(K)RA1>IIICAL SKETCHES 

Washington, and Priest River, Idaho. This was virgin soil 
and the work although attended with difficulties was fruitful. 
At the end of this engagement he went to Hudson, South 
Dakota, where many young people were gathered into the 
church, and under the blessing of God, organized a church at 
Virginia, South Dakota, six miles from Hudson. After a 
pastorate of two years he returned to Lemon Grove, Southern 
California, and also has charge of the church at La Mesa, 
and resides in the parsonage built in his former pastorate. 

Mr. Bradstreet is conservative in his theology and evange- 
listic in his preaching. He has always laid great emphasis 
upon pastoral work and in the later years of his ministry has 
successfully conducted catechetical classes among the chil- 
dren. 

June 26, 1888, he was married to Miss Flora Chase Ord- 
way of Ipswich, Mass. Her heart and soul have always been 
in the work of the church. She has indeed been a true 
helpmeet and a very efficient one, but unfortunately poor 
health has marred in a great measure the full efficiency of 
her fruitful life. 



REV. FRANCIS ALDEN POOLE. 



Was born in Salem, Mass., October 25, 1870, the eldest of 
a family of three children. His parents were Laura Anna 
(Mackintosh) and Edmund Alden Poole, the latter a descend- 
ant of the eighth generation of John Poole, who came from 
Reading, England, and settled first in Cambridge in 1632 
and later at Reading in 1639, where he was one of the lead- 
ing proprietors. 

Edmund A. Poole has been connected many years with 
the China Insurance Co. of Boston, and its President since 
1890. He was the son of Fitch Poole of Peabody, Mass., 
and Mary Anne Poor, niece of Rev. Daniel Poor, D. D., one 
of the first missionaries of the American Board to Ceylon. 

Fitch Poole was one of the best known citizens of Essex 
County. His tastes were decidedly literary and he constantly 




REV. FRANCIS ALDEN POOLE. 




REV. HERBERT JAMES WYCKOFF. 



OF TlIK MINISTRY. 



39 



contributed to newspapers many sparkling essays, besides 
being the editor of the Danvers Courier and Wizard, both 
popular weeklies in their day. He was a personal friend of 
George Peabody and was for many years librarian of the 
Peabody Institute. 

I-'itch Poole's father was Fitch Poole, a deacon for forty 
years of the Old South Church of Peabody. He married the 
youngest daughter of Hon. and Rev. Manasseh Cutler, D. 
D., L. L. D., of Hamilton, who probably was one of the most 
distinguished men of his times. He was the leading spirit 
in the settlement of the Northwest Territory, and probably 
inspired the famous "Ordinance of 1787," b)' his friend Hon. 
Nathan Dane. 

Such were in part the antecedents of Rev. Francis A. 
Poole, who graduated from the Bangor Theological Semin- 
ary in 1893 and later took a special course at Harvard and 
at Hartford Theological Seminary, 

Pastoral record : 

Sanford, Me., 1893 to 1895; Topsfield, Mass., April 12, 
1895, to August 29, 1899; East Weymouth, 1899-1901 ; 
and Barre, Vt. 

His present church is the second largest in Vermont and 
has a membership of 567. The fine brick edifice has recent- 
ly been remodeled and enlarged at an expense of over $6000, 
and is free from debt. 

He married Marion Kaler Rounds of Portland, Me., and 
of their two children, Gordon Cutler Poole was born in the 
Emerson-Holmes parsonage, February 8, 1895. — '^• 



REV. HERBERT JAMES WYCKOFF. 



Rev. Herbert James Wyckoff, son of James L. R. and 
Mary A. F. (Pooler) Wyckoff, was born at Elizabeth, N. 
J., December 16, 1870, and received his special education at 
Yale College (1892) and Yale Divinity School (1898) and 
was ordained at Woodbury, Conn., September 15, 1898. 

Pastorates : 



40 



HKX^RArilH'AI. SKETCHKS 



Congregational Church, Fayette, Ohio, 1898 99. 

Congregational Church, Topsfield, Ai)ril 12, 1900, to 
January 21, 1903. 

Congregational Church, Chelsea, Vt., 1903- 1905. 

Congregational Church, South Glastonbury, Conn., 1906. 

His pastorate here was distinctive by reason of the con- 
stant and increasing interest which he aroused among the 
younger people of the congregation and town in spiritual 
thought and civic righteousness. 

He thoroughly identified himself with the town, serving 
on the Board of Library Trustees and as Secretary of the 
Improvement Society, and was ever active in promoting its 
interests and welfare. 

May 31, 1897, h^ was married to Lillian F. Wheeler of 
Hartford, Conn., and during their residence in town two 
daughters, Dorothy and Lillian, were born July 22, 1900 
and July 4, 1902, respectively. On January 17, 1906, he was 
installed pastor of the Congregational Church at South Glas- 
tonbury, Conn. 



REV. WILLIAM GEORGE POOR, 



At present serving the church, was born at Andover, 
Mass., June 13, 1858, of the seventh generation from Daniel 
Poor, one of the sixteen original freeholders of Andover. 
His higher and special education was received at Dartmouth 
College (1882) and Yale Divinity School (1885) and he was 
ordained in his native town May 28, 1885. 

Pastorates : 

Cong'l Church, Paola, Kansas, 1885-89. 

Second Cong'l Church, Chicopee Falls, Mass., 1889-94. 

First Cong'l Church, Keene, N. H., 1894-99. 

Assumed charge over Cong'l Church, Topsfield, Septem- 
ber I, 1903. 

Pursuant to his appointment as State Supt. by the Sixth 
National C. E. Convention, held at Saratoga, N. Y,, in July, 
1887, Mr. Poor, assi.sted by George M. Ward, Sec'y of the 




REV. WILLIAM GEORGE POOR. 



ol'- rill' MINISTRY. 4F 

Unitcil Suciet}-, outlined a plan for the introduction of C 
E. into the State of Kansas and in the followin^^ Fall entered 
upon a twenty months' campaign of earnest and faithful ser- 
vice of carrying the message of "for Christ and the Church" 
throughout the State. 

At the first State Christian Endeavor convention, held in 
the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka, May 30-31. 1888, 
Mr. Poor was elected the first President of the C E. Union 
of Kansas, holding the ofifice continuously until his removal 
from the State in 1889. At which time a State Committee 
passed the Resolution that he would "always be considered 
the Father of the Endeavor movement in Kansas." 

It must be borne in mind that his efforts for the spreading 
of C. E. were made during his pastorate over the Congrega- 
tional Church at Paola. 

In New Hampshire he was a Director of the New Hamp- 
shire Home Missionary Society, and a member of the Ex- 
ecutive Committee of the New Hampshire Sunday School 
Association, the latter sending him as a delegate to the Inter- 
national Sunday School Convention at Atlanta in 1899. He 
was a New Hampshire delegate to the National Council at 
Portland, Oregon, in 1898. 

May 9, 1889, he was married to Miss Hatt'c M. Taylor, of 
Paola, Kansas. 



PARSONAGES AND RESIDENCES OF MINISTERS. 



The oldest parsonage of which there is any mention was 
situated in the pasture ever since called the parsonage pas- 
ture. The house stood directly west of the residence of Al- 
bert Austin Conant, and was built in 1663. Here lived Rev. 
Thomas Gilbert^ and also his successor, Rev. Jeremiah Ho- 
bart. 

In 1694 the house was not considered sufificiently good 
for further ministerial occupanc)' and School Master Good- 
man was allowed to live in it as part of his salary for teaching 
school. 



42 PARSONAGES AND RESIDENCES 

Rev. William Perkins lived in the Neheniiah Perkins house, 
Perkins street, near Mile Brook. 

Rev. Joseph Capen owned his house, built probably in 
1686, now standing on a slight eminence east of the present 
M. E. Church. 

Rev. John Emerson lived in his own house, built about 
1754, on the present site of the Balch-Jordan mansion, 

Rev. Daniel Breck lived in his own house, the Old Clark 
Tavern, on Main street, about where the driveway to the barn 
of the late John Bailey is located. 1 779-88. 

Rev. Asahel Huntington lived in his own house, purchased 
of John Gould, 1791, on the corner of now Boxford and 
Wash'n Streets, at the west part of town, 1789- 18 13. 

Rev. Rodney Gove Dennis first lived in the Billy Emerson 
house, now residence of C. Fred Jordan ; later in the west- 
ern half of the Jacob Towne house on High street. 1820-29. 

Rev. James F. McEwen first lived in the north part of the 
Joseph Emerson house on the common east, opposite the 
Cong. Church ; later in the Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland house 
(being the first tenant) now owned by Mrs. Ephraim P. Pea- 
body. 1836-40. 

Rev. Anson McLoud first lived in Jacob Towne's house 
three years, then in the one built by J. Perkins Towne on 
opposite side of the street, until his own house was built fur- 
ther up the street, 1861. Ministry i84itoi869; he died 
in this house in 1883. 

Rev. Edward Payson Tenney boarded at the corner of 
Main and Prospect streets, 1869-70. 

Rev. James Hill Fitts lived on Main street, in the Richard 
Phillips' house (now residence of Mr. Augustus Willard 
Smith) 1871-80. 

Rev. Frank P. Tompkins lived in the Taylor house, Main 
street, now owned by Fountain Lodge, No. 170, I. O. O. F., 
1882-83, S"d Rev. Lyndon S. Crawford also occupied the 
estate, 1883-6. 

Rev. Charles W. Luck lived in the parsonage purchased 
of Charles H. Holmes, Esq., Jan'y i, 1886, being the Emer- 
son-Holmes house on the Common, opposite the church, 
1887-90. This house was also occupied by 
Rev. Albert E. Bradstreet, 1 891 -1894. 




o 



OF MINISTERS. 43 

Rev. Francis A. Poole, 1894-1899,^1110! 
Rev. Herbert J. Wyckoff, 1900-1903. 
In 1903 the house was sold to VVillard Emery. 
Rev. VVni. G. Poor lives in the Mcrriani-Franie house on 
Main Street, 1 903. 



THE PARSON CAPEN HOUSE 



"The parsonage house," the use of which was tendered to 
Rev. Joseph Capcn in 168 1, would seem to have been not a 
suitable shelter for the beloved scholar and pastor; and so, 
upon the twelve acres of land granted him by the town, was 
erected the house which still bears his name. 1686 is con 
sidered the date when this substantial structure was reared. 
Its sturdy frame of hewn timber, and the bricked interior of 
the walls, testify both to the lingering Indian menace, and to 
the pastor's purpose to shelter his flock if need be, for, proof 
against arrow and bullet, it was a veritable fortress in minia- 
ture. But against foes of flesh and blood it never needed to 
be garrisoned. The huge chimney, six feet square, rises 
from an immense structure of brick comprising, on the 
ground floor the great oven and the fireplaces for the two 
rooms, and on the second floor two more fireplaces. 

Many changes have been made within this building during 
its eleven-score years, especially in partitioning off more 
rooms, and in otherwise modernizing the interior. But in 
other respects, e. g., the wine closet, the winding stairway, 
and the entrance to the attic, time has only aged the original 
condition. The bricks of the chimney are laid in clay, and 
are of ancient pattern. 

The large room at the west end was probably both library 
and dining room ; and in this room the prince of darkness 
may have met his defeat by the redoubtable champion of 
truth and godly sense. The other room was the living 
room. 

The accompanying illustration, used by the courtesy of 
the Current Literature Publishing Co., is from Joy Wheeler 



44 THE INVESTED FUNDS 

Dow's "American Renaissance," in which it is miscalled 
"The Witch House at Topsfield, Mass.," and is considered an 
interesting example of 17th century architecture in Amer- 
ica. 

Like the character of him whose name it bears, the old 
house stands in enduring strength upon its knoll. Though 
unlike its more youthful neighbors, it makes with them a 
harmonious picture ; and it will not seem out of place in the 
fair prospect of Topsfield Common so long as we cherish and 
revere the greatness and worth of the moral giants of those 
early days. 



THE INVESTED FUNDS OF THE CHURCH. 
List of Donors, with conditions of gift. 

EUNICE ESTY, TOPSFIELD. 



Will dated August 4, 1849; probated January 6, 1852. 

Item Seven. — "I give and bequeath to deacons John 
Wright and Joel R. Peabody, and to their successors in the 
office of deacons in the Calvanistic orthodox church in Tops- 
field, in trust, the sum of fifty dollars, and my will is that the 
said deacons for the time being shall keep said sum of fifty 
dollars at interest upon the best terms they can obtain, always 
taking sufficient security for the same ; and I appropriate 
the interest which shall from time to time accrue upon said 
sum of fifty dollars to be paid to needy members of said 
church or to be appropriated to any other object which a 
majority of the male members of said church shall from time 
to time judge most expedient." Essex County Probate Rec- 
ords, Book 416, Page 141. For complete probate proceed- 
ings, see case No. 38, 607. 



OF THE CHURCH. 45 

HANNAH PERKINS, TOPSFIELD. 



Will dated April 25, 1851; allowed November 20, 1855, 
and appeal taken to Supreme Judicial Court, which appeal 
was dismissed for want of prosecution at the April term, 
1856. 

Item Two. — "To the deacons of the Congregational Church 
in Topsfield, for the time being, I do will, give and bequeath 
the sum of one hundred dollars, to beheld by them and their 
successors in said office, in special trust, perpetually and for- 
ever, the interest of which is to be appropriated, annually, 
from time to time, towards the support of an orthodox con- 
gregational minister for said church and parish." Essex 
County Probate Records, Book 418, Page 290. For com- 
plete probate proceedings, see case No. 49.795- 



DEBORAH PEABODY, TOPSFIELD. 



Will dated June i, 1832; probated April 5, 1842. 

Item Seven. — "I give and bequeath to deacon Samuel C. 
Todd and deacon Joel R. Peabody, and to their successors 
in the office of deacons of the Calvanistic orthodox church 
in Topsfield, in trust, the sum of two hundred dollars, to be 
paid to said deacons in six months after my decease. And 
my will is, that said deacons for the time being shall keep 
said sum of two hundred dollars at interest upon the best 
terms they can obtain, always taking sufficient security for 
the same. And I appropriate the interest, which shall from 
time to time accrue upon said sum of two hundred dollars, 
to be given to needy members of said church, or to be ex- 
pended to the promotion of any other object, which a major- 
ity of the male members of said church shall from time to 
time judge most expedient." Essex County Piobate Rec- 
ords, Book 411, Page 253. For complete probate proceed- 
ings, sec case No. 49,427. 



46 THE INVESTED FUNDS 

LYDIA SMITH, BOXFORD. 



Will dated February 21, 1856; probated September 7, 
1858. 

Item Six. — "After the decease of my said sister Mary 
Cross (who had a life estate in the residue under item three) 
I do then will, give and bequeath to the acting deacons of 
the Congregational Church, in Topsfield, of which I am now 
a member, and to their successors, in said ofifice, in special 
trust, the sum of three hundred and fifty dollars — to be by 
them, safely invested — the income of which, is to be annually 
and perpetually, appropriated as follows — the interest of 
one hundred dollars, towards the support, or annual salary, 
of a Congregational minister of said church and parish — the 
interest of two hundred fifty dollars — to be by them person- 
ally given and distributed, to poor widows and indigent fe- 
males, who are members of said church or parish. The said 
deacons, to make, and always to keep, a fair plain record, in 
books for that special purpose — both, of the amount annual- 
ly received, from said trust, and of the disbursements there- 
of — and annually report the same, before a regular meeting 
of said church or parish." Essex County Probate Records, 
Book 419, Page 389. For complete probate proceedings, 
see case No. 53,621. 



ANNA PERKINS, TOPSFIELD. 



Will dated December 7, 1850; probated April i, 185 1. 

Item Ten. — "To the deacons of the "Congregational 
church" in Topsfield, for the time being, I do will, give and 
bequeath one hundred and fifty dollars, to be held by them 
and their successors in said ofifice, in special trust perpetual- 
ly and forever, the interest or income of which is to be annu- 
ally and forever appropriated by them to the relief and bene- 
fit of the needy, poor and indigent members of said church." 
Essex County Probate Records, Book 415, Page 634. For 
complete probate proceedings see case No. 49,739. 



OF THE CHURCH. 47 

HITTY DODGE, TOPSFIELD. 



Will dated November 5, 185 i ; probated May 20, 1856. 

Item Two. — "To the deacons of the "Congregational 
church" in Topsfield for the time being I do will, give and 
bequeath to them and to their successors in said office, the 
sum of fifty dollars, which is to be safely invested and to be 
held in special trust perpetually and forever, the income or 
interest of which is to be annually apportioned and appropri- 
ated by them for the benefit of the poor and indigent mem- 
bers of said church." Essex County Probate Records, Book 
418, Page 435. For complete probate proceedings, see case 
No. 37.595- 



LUCY HERRICK, TOPSFIELD. 



Will dated January 15, 1896; probated (with two codicils) 
January 2, 1899. 

Item Twenty-one. — "To the Congregational Parish of 
Topsfield, five hundred dollars to purchase an organ "when 
needed," and the interest up to the time of purchase to be 
applied to current organ expenses." Essex County Probate 
Records, Book 540, Page 19. For complete probate pro- 
ceedings, see case No. 83,551. 



SARAH STICKNEY EDWARDS. HAVERHILL. 



Will dated January 27, 1900; probated May 6, 1907. 

Item Six. — "I give and bequeath to the Congregational 
Church in Topsfield in said County of Essex, the sum of 
Five hundred dollars to be used for such purposes as it may 
think proper; meaning by the Congregational Church the 
body of communicants known by that name." Essex County 
Probate Records, Book 625, Page 79. For complete probate 
proceedings, see case No. 100,755. 



48 



MINISTERS. 



MINISTERS. 



BEGAN 
NAME. ^^„„,^^ 

SERVICE. 

Thomas Gilbert, Nov. 4, 1663. 
Jeremiah Hobart, Oct. 2, 1672. 
Joseph Capen, June 11, 1684. 
John Emerson, Nov. 27, 1728. 
Daniel Breck, Nov. 17, 1779. 
Asahel Huntington, Nov. 12, 1789. 
Rodney G. Dennis, Oct. 4, 1820. 
James F. McEwen, May 5, 1830. 
Anson McLoud, Dec. 8, 1841. 
Edward P. Tenney, Dec. i, 1869. 
James H. Fitts, June 22, 1871. 
Franklin P. Tompkins, Aug. 7, 1881. 
Lyndon S. Crawford, Sept. 27, 1883. 
Chas. W. Luck, June 29, 1887. 
Albert E. Bradstreet, Sept. i, 1891. 
Francis A. Poole, April 12, 1895. 
Herbert J. Wyckoff, April 12, 1900. 
Wm. G. Poor, Sept. i, 1903. 



SERVICE 
CLOSED. 



DEATH 
OCCURRED. 



1 67 1. Oct. 26, 1673, 

Charlestown, Mass. 
Sept. 21, 1680. Nov. 6, 1 71 5, 

Haddam, Conn. 
At death. June 30, 1725, 

Topsfield, Mass. 
At death. July 11, 1774, 

Topsfield, Mass. 
May 26, 1788. Aug. 12, 1845, 

Hartland, Vt. 
At death. April 22, 1813, 

Topsfield, Mass. 
May 6, 1829. Sept. 29, 1865, 

Southboro, Mass. 
May 5, 1840. April 14, 1850, 

W. Brattleboro, Vt. 
Oct. I, 1869. Feb'y- 21, 1883. 

Topsfield, Mass. 
Sept. 10, 1870. 

March 22, 1880. Nov. 22, 1900, 
Newfields, N. H. 

March 4, 1883. Feb'y- 13, 1897, 
Carnegie, Pa, 

Oct. 18, 1886. 

Sept. 10, 1890. 
Sept. I, 1894. 
Aug. 29, 1899. 
Jan. 21, 1903. 



DEACONS. 49 



DEACONS. 



Elected. Name. Died. 

a Isaac Cummings, ^^17- 

a Thomas Hewlett, 1678. 

b 1676, Thomas Perkins, May 7, 1686. 

May 24, 1686, Isaac Cummings, 1721. 

May 24, 1686, Nehemiah Abbot, March, 1707. 

Sept. 21, 1701, Sarg't. Thomas Dorman, 171 1. 

Sept. 21, 1 701, Ensign Samuel Hewlett, Mar. 11, 1720. 

b 1723, John Hewlett, Sept. 7, 1735. 

April, 15, 1716, Lieut. Daniel Redingten, Sept. 27, 1732. 

Sept. 19, 1729, Jacob Peabody, July 24, 1749. 

Dec. 2, 1735, Lieut. Ivory Hovey, Jan'y 21, 1759. 

Octe. 6, 1749, George Bixby, May 4, 1783. 

Octo.6, 1749, Daniel Gould, Dec. 11, 1766. 

March 30, 1767, John Gould, June 28, 1778. 

Aug. 25. 1778, Major Joseph Gould, June 9, 1803. 

Aug. 25, 1778, Stephen Foster, July 13, 1791. 

June 26, 1781, Solomon Dodge, Jan'y 16, 1812. 

Aug. 5, 1797, John Gould, Jr. Jan'y n. 1820. 

June 10, 1799, Daniel Bixby, Jan'y 5, 1825. 

Nov. 18, 1818, Samuel C. Todd, Dec. 29, 1858. 

Sept. 17, 1828, Joel R. Peabody, July 24, 1861. 

Nov. 5, 1848, John Wright, July 29, 1861. 

Aug. 25, 1861, Augustine S. Peabody, Mar. 3, 1884. 

Feb'y. 21, 1866, Daniel Willey, Apr. 3, 1889. 

Mar. 28, 1884, Charles J. Peabody, 

March 28, 1884, Edwin S. Clifford, 



a. According to best information. 

h. Referred to as Deacon in contemporary documents ; record of elec- 
tion missing. 



50 



CHURCH CLERKS. 



CHURCH CLERKS. 
Previous to 1683, records missing. 



1683-1724, Rev. Joseph Capen. 

1728-1774, Rev. John Emerson. 

1789-1813, Rev. Asahel Huntington. 

1 820- 1 829, Rev. Rodney Gove Dennis. 

1830-1841, Rev. James F. McEwen. 

1841-1869, Rev. Anson McLoud. 

1 869-1 870, Rev. Edward P. Tenney. 

1871-1879, Rev. James H. Fitts. 

1879-1884, Dea. Augustine S. Peabody. 

1 884- 1 894, Mr. E. Perkins Averill. 

1 894- 1900, Miss Annie F. Ferguson. 

1900-1902, Miss Ada J. Todd. 

1902- Mr. J. Porter Gould. 



MEMBERSHIP. 
Resident Members. 



DATE OF 

admis'n. 

1883. 

1883. 

1868. 

1876. 

1898. 

1892. 

1864. 

1868. 

1883. ' 

1883. 

1886, 

1883. 

1854- 

X Widow. 



Averill, E. Perkins, 
Averill, Mrs. Susan J. 
Bailey, Mrs. Sarah J. x. 
Balch, Miss Anna B. 
Balch, Franklin, 
Bradstreet, Mrs. Mabel W. 
Bradstreet, Miss Sarah R. 
Clifford, Edwin S. 
Cummings, Miss Martha S. 
Dodge, Albert M. 
Dodge, Miss Florence M. 
Dodge, Mrs. H. Melissa, 
Dodge, John Holroyd, 



HUSBAND'S NAME. 

E. Perkins Averill. 
John Bailey. 
C. Fred Jordan. 

Horace D. Bradstreet. 



Norman McLeod. 

Albert M. Dodge. 
C. Frederick Dodge. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



5>i 



DATE OF 
ADMIS'N. 

1883. 
1896. 
I87I. 
1883. 
1864. 
1897- 
1897- 
1907. 
1885. 
1875. 
1883. 

1883. 

1897. 

1907. 

1907. 

1907. 

1907. 

1907. 

1854. 
1858. 
1870. 
1868. 
1883. 
1883. 
1875. 
1883. 
1898. 
1898. 

1897. 
1858. 
1858. 

1897. 
1893. 

1897- 
1897. 
1883. 
1883. 
1875. 



Dodge, Miss Laura E. 
Dodge, Miss Violetta R. 
Dow, Mrs. Ada B. 
Dow, George P. 
Dwinell, Mrs. Ruth A. 
Edwards, Benjamin P. 
Edwards. Mrs. Mary Eva, 
Elliott, Mrs. Abbie L. x 
Ferguson, Miss Annie F. 
Ferguson, Edward E. 
Ferguson, Mrs. Mary A. 
Ferguson. Miss Martha G. 
Foster. Edwin K. 
Gleason, Miss Annie P. 
Gleason, Mrs. Charlotte A. 
Gleason. Mrs. Florence M. 
Gleason (Rev.) George L. 
Gleason, Leroy W. 
Guuld. Miss Esther M. 
Gould, J. Porter 
Gould, Mrs. Mary Ann. x. 
Gould, Miss Mary E. 
Gould. Mrs. Mary Elizabeth, 
Gould, Melvin W. 
Honian, William H. 
Jordan, C. Fred, 
Jordan, Miss Helen P. 
Kirk, Mrs. Beatrice M. x. 
Kneeland, Mrs. Rosa G. 
Lake, Mrs. R. Eveline, 
Lake, John B. 
Leach, Charles H. 
Leach, Mrs. Mary A. 
Merrill, Eben Sumner, 
Merrill, Mrs. Theresa Augusta 
Moore, Miss Sarah Elizabeth, 
Pace, Albert William, 
Peabody, Mrs. Annie R. 



hdsband'8 name. 
Clarence L. Dame. 

George P. Dow. 

Willard A. Dwinell. 

Benj. P. Edwards. 
J. Albert Elliott. 

Edward E. Ferguson. 



Rev. Geo.L. Gleason. 
Leroy W. Gleason. 



John Gould. 
Melvin W. Gould. 



George H. Kirk. 
Thomas J. Kneeland. 
John B. Lake. 



Charles H. Leach. 
Eben S. Merrill. 

Charles J. Peabody. 



X Widow. 



52 



MEMBERSHIP. 



DATE OF „ . „_ 

ADMIS'N. ^^^''• 

1864. Peabody, Charles J. 

1892. Peabody, Miss Elizabeth D. 

1897. Peabody, Miss Grace G. 

1883. Peabody, Miss Lucy Abby, 

1872. Peabody, Mrs. Lydia A. x. 

1883. Perkins, Miss Eliza J. 

1868. Perkins, Miss C. Ellen, 

1897. Perkins, Miss Ellen M. 

1897. Perkins, Mrs. Emma F. x. 

1889. Perkins, Harris E. 

1897. Perkins. Lyman A. 
1858. Perkins, Miss Mary J. 
1853. Perkins, Mrs. Mary L. x. 
1872. Perkins, Mrs. Mary S. X. 

1887. Perkins, Mrs. Nellie A. 
1868. Perkins, Mrs. Susan Irene, x. 
1864. Pike, Miss Adeliza M. x. 
1867. Pingree, Miss Caroline P. 
1886. Pingree, Miss Eliza A. x. 

1898. Poole, Mrs. Dora T. x. 
1903. Poor, Mrs. Harriet T. 
1903. Poor, (Rev.) William G. 

1892. Pray, Mrs. Caroline E. x. 

1893. Smith. Miss Abbie A. 
1893. Smith, Miss Alice R. 

1888. Smith, Miss Annie L. 
1867. Smith, Mrs. Harriet B. 

1888. Smith. Miss Mary Adeline, 
1895. Todd, Miss Ada J. 

1863. Todd, Miss Mehitable, 

1901. Welch, Leone Parker, 

1883. Wildes, Alathea Orietta, 

1883. Wildes, Eugene Lamont, 

1897. Wildes, Mrs. Eunice R. 

1897. Wildes, William H. 

1889. Winslow, Mrs. Elizabeth G. x 



HUSBAND'S NAME. 



Alden P. Peabody 
John J. Watson. 

Albert W.Pace. 
Justin W. Perkins. 



John Holroyd Dodge 
Caleb K. Perkins. 
David G. Perkins. 
Lewis A. Chapman. 
Elbridge F. Perkins, 
John Fiske. 
Benjamin J. Balch. 
Daniel Willey. 
Orlando B. Poole. 
Rev. Wm. G. Poor. 

Ruel Benton Pray. 



Augustus W. Smith. 
Leone P. Welch. 



Eugene L. Wildes. 
William H. Wildes. 
Charles Winslow. 



X Widow. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



53 



NON-RESIDENT MEMBERS. 



DATE OF NAME HUSBAND'S NAME. 

ADMI8 N. 

1897. Adams, Edwin S. 

1877. Billings, Augustus T, 

1887. Bradford, Mrs. Minnie F. 

1896. Clarke, Miss Mary Ella, 

1897. Frye, Miss Lizzie, 
1907. Gleason, Miss Alice, 

1897. Gould, Sidney C. 

1898. Jordan, Miss Alice B. 
1897. Killam, Mrs. Addie J. x. 
1895. Morgan, Mrs. Ellen F. x. 
1895. Perkins, Sallie Mabelle, 
1897. Pierce, Edward Nelson, 
1863. Rea, Miss E. A. Adelaid. 
1897. Stewart, William James. 
1897. Towne, Mrs. Abbie W. 
1897. Towne, Miss Eva L. 
1897. Towne, George Warren. 
1895. Towne, Miss Mary E. 

1905. Trowbridge, Mrs. H. Frances x Charles I, Trowbridge 

;c. Widow. 



Frank Bradford. 



George C. Donaldson. 
Geo. Edwin Killam. 
Isaac A. Morgan. 
Edgar Fayette Powers. 



George W. Towne. 
Sidney C. Gould. 



54 CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 



THE CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 



CONFESSION OF FAITH. 



The following Confession of Faith is the first found upon 
the church records and is recorded under date of 1792. 

1. You believe there is one God, who is eternal, immu- 
table, omnipotent, omniscient, infinitely holy and good, 
whose existence is a Trinity in Unity; or there are three 
distinct persons in the God-head — the Father, the Son, and 
the holy Ghost. 

2. That God made all things by the word of his power 
from eternity, decreed all things, and extends his providence 
over the whole creation, ruling & disposing all things for his 
creatures for his own glory. 

3. That God created man in his own image, in knowledge, 
and righteousness and holiness & consequently in a state of 
innocence & happiness: but in a state of trial, under a cove- 
nant of works. 

4. That man continued not in that estate; but our first 
parents sinned, and in consequence of it all, both Jews & 
Gentiles are under sin. 

5. That God hath not left mankind to perish in that state 
of sin & misery; but hath elected some to everlasting 
life. 

6. That the Scriptures of the Old & New Testament are 
the infallible word of God; — containing all instruction neces- 
sary to salvation. 

7. That the Lord Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the 
Scriptures as both God and man, — that he hath offered him- 
self a sacrifice for sin ; — and that He is the only Redeemer o( 
God's elect. 



CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 55 

8. That the Spirit of God must convince us of sin, and 
change our wills, before we exercise that faith, which unites 
our souls to Christ, and makes us partakers of the benefits of 
his death & resurrection. 

9. That God requires of us, as necessary duties, though 
not as meritorious conditions of salvation, faith, repentance, 
and obedience. 

10. That those, who are born again of the Spirit of God ; 
or are brought to the exercises of evangelical faith & repent- 
ance, will be preserved from final apostacy, and will infalli- 
bly be saved. 

11. That there will be a resurrection of our bodies, and 
that our souls will be reunited to them in such a manner as 
that we shall be capable of endless happiness or misery; — 
that Jesus Christ will appear & judge the world in righteous- 
ness, the form of which judgment will be — The wicked shall 
go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into 
life eternal. 



THE COVENANT, 1792- 1894. 

The first covenant of the church, under date of May 12, 
1792, remained substantially unchanged until 1894, when it 
was shortened and made the conclusion of the confession. 

The following is the covenant of 1792 : 

You do now in the presence of God & this assembly, sol- 
emnly take the Lord Jehovah, Father, Son & Holy Ghost, to 
be your God and do give yourself to be His, promising to 
make His holy word the only rule of your faith & practice. 
You devote yourself to God, humbly depending upon His 
grace, in Christ the mediator for righteousness & strength, 
that you may be pardoned & accepted with God. You do 
also subject yourself to the government of the church in this 
place and to its regular administration in this place promis- 
ing in brotherly love to seek its peace and welfare so long as 
God shall continue you here, and }'ou will not withdraw from 
it without just cause and first acquainting the church with 
)-our design and obtaining its consent. 



$6 CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 

CONFESSION OF FAITH. 



[adopted SEPT. 29, 1820.] 



1. You believe that there is one God, who is eternal, im- 
mutable, omnipotent, omniscient, infinitely holy and good, 
whose existence is a Trinity in Unity; — or, that there are 
three distinct persons in the Godhead. 

2. That God made all things by the word of his power; 
extends his providence over the whole creation; and orders 
all creatures & events in infinite benevolence, & according to 
his sovereign will. 

3. That God created man in his own image, in knowledge, 
& righteousness, and holiness, and, consequently, in a state 
of innocence & happiness; but in a state of trial, under a 
covenant of works. 

4. That man continues not in that state; but that our first 
parents sinned, and in consequence of it, all, both Jews & 
Gentiles, are under sin. 

5. That God has not left mankind to perish in that state 
of sin & misery, without the possibility of escape ; but has, 
through the sufferings & death of Christ, opened a way, by 
which they may be made partakers of eternal life. 

6. That the Scriptures of the Old & New Testaments are 
the infallible word of God, — containing all instruction neces- 
sary to salvation. — 

7. That the Lord Jesus Christ, who is revealed in the 
Scriptures, is both God and man, — that he hath offered him- 
self a sacrifie for sin, — that there is salvation in no other, 
"there being no other name under heaven, given among men, 
whereby any can be saved." 

8. That the Spirit of God must convince us of sin, and 
change our wills, before we exercise that faith, which unites 
our souls to Christ, and makes us partakers of the benefits 
of his death & resurrection. 



CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 57 

9. That God requires of us as necessary duties, though 
not as meritorious conditions of salvation, faith, repentance, 
& obedience. 

10. That those who are born again of the Spirit of God ; 
or are brought to the exercises of evangelical faith and re- 
pentance, will be preserved from final apostacy, & will infal- 
libly be saved ; not however without a holy life. This is 
implied in the saint's perseverance, & cannot be separated 
therefrom, without obliterating that doctrine at the same 
time. 

11. That there will be a resurrection of our bodies and 
that our souls will be reunited to them in such a manner, as 
that we shall be capable of endless happiness or misery, — 
that Jesus Christ will appear and judge the world in right- 
eousness the form of which judgment will be — "The wicked 
shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous 
into life eternal." 

These things you believe? 



CONFESSION OF FAITH. 



[adopted march 27, 1859.] 



1. You believe that there is one living and true God, the 
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, a being infinite in wis- 
dom, power, truth, goodness, and holiness. 

2. You believe that the counsels of God, according to 
which he made and governs all things, are from eternity, and 
are infinitely wise and benevolent. 

3. You believe that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and 
New Testaments are given by inspiration of God, and are the 
infallible rule of faith and practice. 

4. You believe that our first parents, being created hoh', 
sinned against God, and that in consequence of their sin all 



58 CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 

their posterity become sinners, and are under condemna- 
tion. 

5. You believe that by nature we aie destitute of hoHness 
and inclined to sin ; so that, unless we are renewed in the 
spirit and temper of our minds, we cannot enter into the king- 
dom of heaven. 

6. You believe that Jesus Chrrst, the second person in the 
trinity, took upon himself our nature, and by his sufferings 
in our stead made an atonement for us, so that God can be 
just, and justify every one who believes in Jesus. 

7. You believe that all who are renewed by the Holy 
Spirit, and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, will be kept by 
the power of God through faith unto salvation. 

8. You believe that the best evidence of saving faith is a 
prayerful, holy life, devoted to the active service of Christ, 
and abounding in all the fruits of the Spirit. 

9. You believe that the sacraments of the Christian Church 
are two ; namely. Baptism and the Lord's Supper. 

10. You believe in the resurrection of the dead, and in the 
day of judgment, when Christ shall pronounce sentence upon 
all that have lived, according to which the wicked shall go 
away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous into life 
eternal. 

These things you believe? 

\^If tJie ca7ididatcs have not been baptized, the ordinance of 
baptism is here administered. ~\ 



CONFESSION OF FAITH. 



[adopted dec. 28, 1894.] 



In the presence of God and this assembly, you do now sol- 
emnly avow your belief that God is, and that He is the re- 
warder of those who diligently seek Him. 



CREEDS AND COVENANTS OF THE CHURCH. 59 

You believe that God so loved the world that he gave his 
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him might 
not perish but have everlasting life. 

You accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, believing 
that He came to earth not to be ministered unto, but to min- 
ister and to give His life a ransom for many, and that every 
one born from above is a child of God and fit for his service. 

You believe that duty to God and man is summed up in 
our Lord's two Commandments, "Thou shalt love the Lord 
thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all 
thy mind, and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Yet 
notwithstanding our earnest efforts to fulfill these commands, 
you believe we often fail But when conscious of wrong do- 
ing, we turn from it, we find that God is faithful and just to 
forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

You believe in the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, Sanctifier, 
and Guide. 

You acknowledge that the Holy Scriptures were given by 
inspiration of God and are profitable for doctrine, for re- 
proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that 
the man of God may become perfect, thoroughly furnished 
unto all good works. 

You believe that the future life is enriched by whatever of 
knowledge and righteousness is gained in this life, and that 
our Saviour has gone before to prepare a place for those who 
love Him. 

While thus stating your belief, you also hold with us, that 
to differently constituted men and women God is revealed in 
different ways, and you rejoice in the word of Christ that "no 
man who doeth good in my name, can lightly speak evil of me." 

You believe heartily that the Great Shepherd has other 
sheep not of this fold, and look forward with joyful anticipa- 
tion to that day when he shall bring them also, and there shall 
be one flock and one Shepherd. 

You do covenant with this Church that you will walk in 
its order and submit to its discipline; that you will seek its 
peace and welfare, and that you will treat its members with 
tenderness and fidelity befitting the disciples of Christ and 
brethren of the same household. Do you thus severally 
promise and believe? 



6o CHURCH OFFICERS, 1907. 



CHURCH OFFICERS OF 1907. 



Minister. — Rev. Wm. G. Poor. 

Deacons. — Edwin Spofford Clifford, Charles Joel Peabody. 

Clerk. — J. Porter Gould. 

Treasurer. — Benjamin P. Edwards. 

Sunday School Supt. — Franklin Balch; Supt. of Pri- 
mary Dept., Miss Annie F. Ferguson. 

Sunday School Committee. — John H. Dodge, Albert 
M, Dodge, Rev. George L. Gleason. 

Pledge System Committee. — John H. Dodge, Leone P. 
Welch. 

Church Committee. — Mrs. Wm. G. Poor, Franklin Balch, 
Mrs. Albert M. Dodge, E. Perkins Averill. 

Debt, Mission and Expense Fund Committee. — Ben- 
jamin P. Edwards, William H. Wildes, Eben S. Merrill. 

Music Committee. — Charles H. Leach, Eben S. Merrill, 
Leone P. Welch, Lyman A. Perkins, J. Porter Gould, 



1" 



®r^er of Sevvicee 

AT THE 

Bcbication of the ©roan 

OF THE 

ConGreoational Church 

ZTopsficlt) nDa06 



March 27 1907 



8 o'clock P M 



ORGAN PRELUDE. Scl-ierzo Pastorale, IVaremi; 

Mr. LYMAN ALMY PERKINS. 

PRESENTATION OF THE ORGAN, 

Mr. ALBERT A. CONANT, for the Ladies' Society, 
to Deacon CHARLES J. PEABODY, for the Parish. 

TE DEUM IN B MINOR, . . . ' . . Bud/ev Buck 

Quartet, Mrs. KIMBALL, Mrs. PARKER, 

Mr. MITCHELL, Mr. MERRILL, and Chorus. 

RESPONSIVE READING. 

Rev. GEORGE L. GLEASON, and Congregation. 

Minister : O come, let us sing to Jehovah, 

People: LET US SHOUT TO OUR ROCK OF SALVATION. 

Let us come with thanksgiving before Him, 

WITH PSALMS LET US SHOUT TO HIS PRAISE. 
Sing for joy in Jehovah, ye righteous, 

IT IS COMELY FOR THE UPRIGHT TO PRAISE HIM 
With the harp give ye thanks to Jehovah, 

SOUND THE LUTE OF TEN STRINGS TO HIS 
PRAISE. 
Sing a new song to His Name, 

PLAY WITH SKILL AND JOYFULLY SHOUT: 
P'or the word of Jehovah is upright, 

AND FAITHFUL IS ALL HE HAS DONE. 
It is good to give thanks to Jehovah, 

TO THY NAME TO MAKE MELODY, O THOU MOST 
HIGH: 
In the morning to show forth Thy kindness. 

AND THY FAITHFULLNESS TELL IN THE NIGHT 
With the lute of ten strings and the lyre, 

WITH THE MURMURING SOUND OF THE HARPS 
O sing a new song to Jehovah, 
For marvellous things hath he done, 

HIS OWN RIGHT HAND AND HIS HOLY ARM THE 
VICTORY GAINED. 
Jehovah made known his salvation, 

HIS JUSTICE REVEALED IN THE SKiHT OF THE 
NATIONS : 
Shout aloud to Jehovah, all the earth : 

BREAK FORTH INTO SONG AND MAKE MELODY: 
With the harp to Jehovah make melody, 

WITH THE HARP AND THE LOUD-SOUNDING 
ORGAN. 
With trumpets and cornet 

SHOUT ALOUD TO JEHOVAH THE KING. 
The sea, let it roar and the fullness thereof, 

THE WORLD AND THOSE DWELLING THEREIN. 
Let the streams clap their hands, 

ALL AT ONCE LET THE MOUNTAINS SHOUT 
FORTH 
Before Jehovah, for He comes to judge the earth ; 

TO THE WORLD HE AWARDS RIGHT, 

AND TO NATIONS JUST JUDGMENT. 

(From Psalms 95, 33, 92, 98. Dr. De Witt's Translation.) 



HYMN, . . Tune ''Lyons'' 

Chorus and Congfrcgfation. 

O worship the King, all glorious above, 

O gratefully sing His power and His love. 
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days, 

Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise. 

Oh tell of His might, O sing of His grace. 

Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space ; 

His chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form, 
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm. 

Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite? 

It breathes in the air, it shines in the light. 
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain. 

And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain. 

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail. 

In Thee do we trust, nor find Thee to fail. 
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end, 

Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend ! 

CONTRALTO SOLO. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace (Isaiah) Patten 

Mrs. PARKER. 

a. Meditation, St. Clair 

b. March of the Magi,* Dubois 

c. Prayer and Cradle Song, Guihnant 

(•The sustained high note is intended by the composer to represent the star which guided the wise men.) 

Mr. PERKINS. 

TENOR SOLO. How long wilt thou forget me ? (Triumph of David.) Buck 

Mr. MITCHELL. 

PRAYER OF DEDICATION 

Rev. Wm. G. POOR. 

ANTHEM. "Har^^ hark rr\y Soul," .... Shelley 

Mrs. PABOCER, Miss WHITTIER, and Chorus. 

Dedication, by Church and Congregation. 

.MiNiSTFK : To the glory of God, our Father, by whose favor this organ was 
obtained ; To the honor of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living 
God, our Lord and Savior ; To the praise of the Holy Spirit, 
source of life and inspirer of sacred song: 
CoNGREnATio.N : WK DEDICATE THIS ORGAN. 

To call the reverent to praise, and to lead the thoughtful to prayer; 

WE DEDICATE THIS ORGA.M. 
To accompany the grateful heart in sacred melody, and to enrich 
the worship of this congregation: 

WE DEDICATE THIS ORGAN. 
To breathe forth the music of the gospel, and to echo the many- 
toned invitation of the divine Love ; 

WE DEDICATE THIS ORGAN. 



mHH 3 WQQ 



To help us into the harmony and rhythm of the Creator's unnum- 
bered chorus, and to arouse all that is within us to bless His Holy 
Name. 

WE DEDICATE THIS ORGAN. 
As a tribute of gratitude and love, a freewill offering of thanksgiv- 
ing and praise, from those who have tasted the cup of Thy salva- 
tion, and experienced the riches of Thy grace : 

WE, THE PEOPLE OF THIS CHURCH AND CONGREGA- 
TION, NOW CONSECRATING OURSELVES ANEW, DED- 
ICATE THIS ORGAN IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, 
AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST. AMEN. 
Choiii .'\.\D Conguegation. 

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost : as 
it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without 
end. Amen. 

MOTETT. Gallia Gounod 

Miss WHITTIER, and Choros, 

Hymn by the Gongfreg-atlon. Tune, ^^Coronation." 

All hail the power of Jesu.s' name ! Let every kindred, every tribe 
Let angels prostrate fall ; On this terrestrial ball , 

Bring forth the royal diadem, To him all majesty ascribe, 

And crown Him Lord of all. And crown Him Lord of all. 

O tliat with yonder sacred throng. 

We at His feet, may fall ; 
We"ll join the everlasting song, 

And crown Him Lord of all. 

POSTLUDE. Marchie Triornphale. . ... Dubois 

Mu PERKINS 



SPECiriCATIO:N^. 

Organ Built by George S. Hutchings, of Boston. 

Two Manuals, compass CC to c4, 61 notes. Pedals, compass CCC to F, 30 notes. 

Great Organ.— Open Diapason; Viola di Gamba; Melodia; Dulciana; Flute d'Amour; 
Octave; Twelfth; Fifteenth; Clarinet, 61 pipes each. 

Swell Organ.— Lieblich Gedeckt, Treble, 49 pipes; Lieblich Gedeckt, Bass, 12 pipes; 
Open Diapason (lowest 12 wood, stopped); Stopped Diapason; Viola; ^oline; Quintadena; 
Flute Hartaonique; Violina; Flautina; Oboe, 61 pipes. 

Pedal Organ.— Bourdon, large scale; Gedeckt; Violoncello, 30 pipes each. 

Couplers.— Swell to Great; Great to Pedal; Swell to Pedal; Swell at 8 ves. 

Mechanical Accessories.— Swell Tremulo; Pedal Check; Bellows Signal; Treat's Pa- 
tent Wind Indicator; Hydraulic Engine Starter; Automatic Engine Regulator. 

Pedal Movements.— Full Organ; Great Forte; Great Mezzo, double acting; Great Piano, 
double acting; Swell Forte; Swell Piano, double acting; Pedal Forte; Pedal Piano, double act- 
ing; Great to Pedal, reversible; Swell Tremulo, reversible; Balanced Swell Pedal. 

Sdmmarv.— Great Organ, 9 stops, 649 pipes; Swell Organ, 10 stops, 610 pipes; Pedal Or- 
gan, 3 stops, 90 pipes; Speaking Stops, 22; Couplers, 4; Mechanical Accessories, 6; Pedal Meve- 
nients, 11; Total, 43; Total number of Pipes, 1249. 



